QR Code Safety: Spot Scams and Stay Protected
By QRVane · Updated
A QR code is just a link in a different shape, so it can lead anywhere, including phishing pages. A common trick is a fake sticker placed over a genuine code.
Scanning safely
Check the web address your phone shows before you open it. Be wary of codes on stickers that look added later. Never enter passwords or payment details on a page you reached from a code you can't verify, and be cautious if a page asks you to download an app.
For businesses
Print codes where they can't be easily covered, check them regularly, and consider tamper-evident labels. Use a destination on a domain you own so customers can recognise it.
What we do
Dynamic codes made here are checked against a blocklist and, when configured, a malware-and-phishing reputation service. Anyone can report a code from our report page, and reported codes can be suspended immediately.