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During a recent trip to the coast, Les Howard encountered a parking meter that only accepted payment via a QR code, as he did not have any coins on hand. Initially thinking it was a convenient solution, the 61-year-old from Widnes soon noticed that unauthorized withdrawals began appearing on his bank account. Over consecutive days, Howard observed that money was being taken in increments of £60, prompting him to realize he had fallen prey to a scam exploiting QR codes.
Such incidents are becoming increasingly frequent, with data from Report Fraud revealing a staggering 700% rise in QR code-related scams over the last four years. Criminals are adapting quickly to the growing presence of QR codes in everyday transactions, using them as tools to access victims’ personal information or financial details. Tactics include embedding malicious links in emails, linking victims’ messaging apps to fraudulent devices, and persuading people to download harmful applications under the guise of legitimate services.
Howard recounted to the BBC Scam Secrets podcast how he became wary after scanning the code in the car park at Caernarfon, North Wales. “I thought ‘I don’t like the idea of this because I’m going to have to put my card details into an app that I’ve only just downloaded, which wasn’t of my choosing,'” he said. Although he deleted the app and chose to park elsewhere, by then a small sum had already been withdrawn. The following day, a larger sum was taken repeatedly, revealing a subscription that had been fraudulently set up. Cyngor Gwynedd, the local council, confirmed it does not use QR codes for parking payments and has removed fake QR code stickers in the area previously, highlighting this as part of a wider national problem.
Further information from City of London Police and Report Fraud indicates the issue of “quishing,” or QR code phishing, is on the rise. In the year ending August 2022, Report Fraud received only 341 reports involving QR codes, but this figure soared to 2,743 in the subsequent 12 months. National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) experts warn that as QR codes become more ubiquitous, criminals are increasingly exploiting them to commit fraud. They suggest caution, recommending people use their phone’s built-in QR scanner instead of downloading third-party apps, which may contain deceptive advertisements or links
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