How to know if a QR Code is real? 3 tips to check before paying

Whether it’s to get a menu at a restaurant, to use a coupon, or just to get more information, these days you probably see and scan QR Codes almost everywhere you go.

However, QR Code fraud and scams have become an extremely prominent and dangerous cybersecurity threat for people all over the world. Technically speaking, QR Codes are safe, but the problem is that with great advancements often comes great risk.

How to know if a QR Code is real? 3 tips to check before paying

Fake QR Codes can steal your money, hack your device or steal your identity, turning your experience with this technology into a nightmare.

In the North Zone of Rio de Janeiro, residents of Tijuca report a fraudulent scheme involving the rental of bicycles from the Bike Rio system. According to them, criminals are pasting a QR Code over the original, making the bike released not the one chosen by the user, but one that is under the control of the scammer.

This situation has led many people to question the legitimacy of QR Codes. So, here are some tips to check if a QR Code is real.

Read also:

3 tips to check if QR Code is real

Because QR Codes are so easy to create and use, they have become a very popular method for people and businesses to send data, make payments, share coupons and offers, and much more.

Similarly, QR Codes have become a common way for criminals to get what they want, whether it’s data or money. So, to avoid falling for QR Code scams, follow the tips below.

Look for obvious tampering

In the case of Tijuca bicycles, the release QR Codes are affixed to the vehicle. To tamper with the code, criminals stick QR Codes referring to other bicycles on the ones that the victim of the scam later chooses.

In these cases, before scanning a code that has been pasted somewhere, it is a good practice to first inspect its physical condition. If there are any visible signs of tampering, other than the usual signs of wear and tear, it is highly recommended that you do not scan it.

Inspect QR Code URL

Most modern smartphones show a preview of the QR Code link before actually redirecting users to the website. Always check the legitimacy of the link in the URL preview.

One of the most common signs of a legitimate QR Code link from a reliable QR Code generator is if it starts with ' or has a padlock symbol at the beginning of the URL.

Since URLs cannot be duplicated, scammers often misspell words or add an extra letter to the middle of the URL to make it look authentic. Also, check the page carefully for errors before doing anything else, regardless of whether the landing page looks trustworthy or aesthetically pleasing.

Avoid scanning random QR Codes

Scammers send QR Codes via email, social media, and sometimes even through the mail or from street posters. In short, if a QR Code comes to you out of the blue, don’t scan it. Instead, try typing in the address of a legitimate website.