Caution, quishing! City were warned of fake QR codes

Caution, quishing! City were warned of fake QR codes

In the past few weeks, a new fraud stitch is causing excitement in Cologne. Manipulated parking ticket machines with fake QR codes are in circulation that are targeting the data of ignorant drivers. This reports wirsind-mueritzer.de . The city has already taken the first measures to close the weaknesses and warn the citizens.

The criminal subjects glue over the original QR codes with professionally designed stickers. These false codes direct users to manipulated websites that often occur in the name of Easypark and tempt you to enter personal data and credit card information. According to ADAC , the first incidents were first reported in Lower Saxony, but also quickly registered in Cologne and Dortmund. Dortmund was particularly affected with at least 90 manipulated machines on the last weekend in January.

The tricks of the fraudsters

"quishing" is the name of this perfidious method, which is a combination of QR code and phishing. Cybercriminals rely on the convenience of drivers and abuse their trust in digital payment methods. The fake websites systematically collect credit card data, which can lead to a financial disaster for many affected people. The city of Cologne has already removed fraudulent stickers from the parking ticket machines, but the danger remains.

Especially in the current year, attention should be high. In the run -up to large events, such as the 2024 Olympics in Paris, an increase in such attempts to fraud is expected, such as Security insider warns. Almost 200 fake domains were registered there to lure unsuspecting visitors.

tips for avoiding quishing

To put the craft the craft, the police have put together important tips. Drivers should pay attention to this:

• Is the QR code over glued? Feeling helps here!
• Never scan over glued QR codes.
• Pay attention to bizarre website names, missing umlauts and inadmissible parking times.
• only use trustworthy apps from the app store-only download park apps through official channels.
• In the event of a suspicion, you should contact the police immediately and inform your bank, ideally select the Barrow emergency call 116116.

In addition, the ADAC recommends using cash or the direct use of the credit card on the machine in order to avoid manipulation. The new stitch once again shows that a watchful eye and healthy distrust in today's digital world are important. Stay Alert, because fraudsters know how to take advantage of trust.