Expert Warns Of QR Code Scams Targeting Euro Venues And How To Avoid

Fans heading to the UEFA European Championships are being warned about a high risk of scams at the event. Scammers are likely to target travelling football fans with fake QR codes, which could be used for payments on drinks, food, transportation, merchandise, and even charitable donations. Areas around Euros venues have been identified as hotspots for these scams, with malicious QR codes potentially replacing legitimate ones in bars, restaurants, and other locations where they might seem authentic.

QR Code Generator have released the following advice to travelling fans to avoid becoming a victim of scams on their Euros road trips:

Avoid payments using public QR codes
Any QR code is susceptible to tampering, but those in those placed in public are particularly so. With payment being one of the prime purposes of QR codes, make sure any code you scan in public is untampered.

If scanning a publicly placed QR code, such as in a parking lot, check for signs that the code is the one you wish to scan. For example, is there actually a sticker over the original code that you are scanning instead, or any other suspicious signs? A QR code scam will direct a device to an official-looking, but phony website, which can steal credit card information when entered.

QR codes created for such scams could be found in restaurants, shopping malls, bars, or a number of other public places. Parking lot scams, however, are particularly identified as on the rise currently. If in doubt, do not pay through a QR code. There is almost always an alternative way to make a payment, like entering the URL yourself.

Check the destination of any QR code
Your phone will display the URL to which a QR code is trying to send you and only take you there if permitted. Check the URL is legitimate by looking out for extended domain names. Multiple hyphens and symbols are common in malicious links, and known names may be included in the URL to trick you, just because a URL has ‘Google’ in it, it does not mean it is legitimate, so look out for suspicious URLs.

It is possible to end up on a malicious website, even after taking great care, so when you have landed on a site through a QR code, remain vigilant. Unprofessional design, low-resolution images, poor grammar, or typos, can be telltale signs of a fraudulent website.

You do not need a QR code ‘app’
Your phone's camera is capable of scanning and following QR codes. The misconception that you might need a new app to do this can lead to downloading fraudulent software that asks for extensive permissions and may try to install malware on your device. Always use your phone’s default camera for QR code scanning.

Do not scan QR codes from unsolicited emails
Email inboxes are often bombarded with links and attachments that may be malicious. While most email services can detect these, they usually can not for QR codes. Always think: Do I know the sender of this email? If so, are they definitely who they claim to be? Many scams claim to come from a trusted retailer like Amazon. Generally, simply avoid scanning QR codes in emails altogether.

Do not be a victim of your own curiosity
Similar to how email scammers may entice victims, scanning a QR code may be incentivised with the promise of a reward, or by creating curiosity to bypass your suspicions. Be extremely wary of any QR code that gives you the chance to ‘win’ anything, offers up a survey, or particularly promises free goods or services. QR codes may even be sent to you in leaflets or letters, but always make sure to follow the tips above, especially if a code has made its way to you without your asking.

Marc Porcar, CEO of QR Code Generator commented:
“QR codes are an incredibly useful invention, but their relative novelty means that scammers are only recently coming around to exploiting them for malicious intentions.

“With the increasing prevalence of the QR code payment scam, it’s certainly something to look out for. The ongoing Euros are an event at which scammers will almost certainly be operating to some degree. Travelling fans who are often caught up in the moment and joy of seeing their beloved teams play ought to remain wary of exactly what they're accessing or paying for through QR codes.”

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