In light of a concerning new trend, smartphone users are being warned about the potential risks associated with QR codes that could result in financial losses due to hacking attempts. Dubbed “quishing,” this form of cybercrime has been flagged by the team at Action Fraud, indicating a rise in these attacks that are causing millions in losses annually.
The primary target locations for these fraudulent activities are car parks, where criminals are placing fake stickers on legitimate QR codes on parking machines. Additionally, quishing schemes are also prevalent on online shopping platforms, where sellers are receiving QR codes via email for account verification or payment collection from buyers.
Acting Director of Action Fraud, Claire Webb, emphasized the increasing use of QR codes in daily life for various purposes but cautioned against falling victim to quishing tactics that aim to extract personal and financial information. To prevent such incidents, individuals are advised to verify QR codes before scanning them, especially in public spaces, and to be wary of emails or messages containing suspicious codes.
Action Fraud has issued precautionary advice, recommending the use of the built-in QR scanner on smartphones instead of downloading scanning apps from app stores to mitigate risks. Furthermore, vigilance is advised when encountering QR codes in emails and ensuring that codes are not tampered with before scanning them in public areas.
It is crucial to exercise caution when dealing with QR codes to avoid potential security breaches, particularly in high-risk locations like stations and car parks where tampered codes could pose threats. While QR codes offer convenience, users are urged to remain vigilant and verify the authenticity of codes before scanning them on their devices.