Attention: fraudsters active! Failed QR codes discovered on parking machines

Attention: fraudsters active! Failed QR codes discovered on parking machines

Bad Harzburg, Deutschland - More and more drivers are becoming victims of fraudulent QR code manipulations when parking in cities like Cologne. The police urgently warns of a criminal stitch who is known as "quishing". This fraud form combines the use of QR codes with phishing techniques in order to attract unsuspecting users to fake websites and steal their sensitive payment data. Not only cities in the Harz Mountains, but also large cities such as Cologne, Hanover and Dortmund, which are increasingly targeting such machinations. News38 reports that notorious fraudsters overlect real QR codes from parking machines and drivers to enter personal data and credit card numbers.

Especially in popular tourist resorts such as Bad Harzburg and Goslar, the danger is particularly high. More and more cities are offering parking via app, which makes use easier. However, the fraudsters come to the technology beforehand: they are deceptively gluing real QR code stickers, which create that you can pay via the app. A simple scan of the wrong code then leads those affected to a fake website from which the money is immediately debited. RND has reported a case in which a driver in Goslar was scanned by manipulated QR codes a four-digit sum was debited.

How does quishing works?

The scammers' procedure is very simple, but extremely effective: a fake QR code is glued over the original code, and the ignorant driver then scans the assumption that he would get to the official website of the parking service. Instead, he is directed to a fraudulent website. TechBook explains that these pages often require the input of sensitive data. Unusual URLs, which are shown as short links or without HTTPS security, are clear warning signs for users. Drivers in particular should be suspicious if QR codes are not printed directly or are attached in other places.

warnings and protective measures

The police recommend several strategies to protect themselves from quishing. Drivers should exercise extreme caution when scanning QR codes. The recommended measures include:

• Enter the parking zone in the app instead of scanning QR codes.
• Use of QR scanners that display the URL preview.
• review for strange URLs or missing https.

If you are the victim of a quishing attack, the bank should be contacted immediately and the credit card should be blocked via the central blocking emergency call (116 116). An advertisement from the police should also be considered.
The investigative authorities are already active in the cities concerned. They check the parking machines and take fake QR stickers into custody while cooperating with app providers at the same time to recognize and prevent abuse. The situation remains tense and requires a watchful eye from parked drivers. Everyone should keep an eye on their data so as not to fall into the trap of the fraudsters.