Be careful, Harz visitors! Fraudsters disguise themselves with false QR codes!

Be careful, Harz visitors! Fraudsters disguise themselves with false QR codes!

In recent weeks, the police in the popular resort towns of Bad Harzburg and Goslar have been loudly alerted to an important concern: fraudsters have taken advantage of the convenient parking app to use fake QR codes to make it more difficult to park quickly in the two cities and to loot open wallets. How news38.de reports, both locals and tourists are drawn to the Harz Mountains who want to enjoy fantastic views and numerous sights. But drivers should be careful when parking!

The fraudsters stick fake QR codes over the official parking machine codes, which can be fatal for inexperienced users. Anyone who scans the fake parking offer will be directed to fraudulent websites that pretend to be a legitimate payment site. This can end badly: one affected victim had already lost almost a four-digit sum before he informed his bank by acting quickly and was able to avert major damage. The police strongly advise you to be careful when parking and, if in doubt, to avoid the safer cashless payment method.

QR code scam

In November 2024, there were already similar cases where fake QR codes led to emergencies in Lower Saxony, as can be seen on polizei-praevention.de can read. In addition to Bad Harzburg and Goslar, Celle and Hanover are particularly affected, where the fake codes have repeatedly appeared. The fraudsters will not be stopped and the local population is urged to remain vigilant.

Before scanning a QR code, you should make sure that the sticker containing it is not covered over and that the page looks secure. According to media reports, these fraudulent sites even use logos of the legitimate provider “PayByPhone” to gain the trust of users. Therefore, a clear trend is emerging: people should be vigilant, especially in sweeping areas where parking meters are often located.

Quishing: The new way to cheat

This scam is part of a trend called “quishing,” a combination of QR codes and phishing, that is becoming increasingly common. Loud geldundverbraucher.de Users should therefore strictly adhere to certain rules. Scanning QR codes should only be done if the origin is considered trustworthy. The majority of smartphones often only display the contents of the scanned QR code after it has been opened, which is again exploited by fraudsters.

The signal from experts is clear: be careful! “QR codes that are near parking meters or e-charging stations and that have been altered in any way could trap you.” Make sure that the QR codes are not stickers stuck over and if you suspect anything, inform the police immediately.

Ultimately, it should be noted that whether in the Harz Mountains or elsewhere, security when parking and paying should have top priority. Don't be blinded by convenience, but be vigilant. The scammers don't stop, so be smart and protect your money!