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"><span>Cyber agency issues warning to public over fake QR code scam </span></h1><figure><img src="/cms_media/module_img/9019/4509682_7_articlexlarge_iStock-867773794.jpg" title="Cyber agency issues warning to public over fake QR code scam " alt="Cyber agency issues warning to public over fake QR code scam " data-src="/cms_media/module_img/9019/4509682_7_articlemedium_iStock-867773794.jpg" fetchpriority=high loading=eager sizes="(max-width: 520px) calc(100vw - 60px), (max-width: 767px) 438px, 576px" srcset="/cms_media/module_img/9019/4509682_7_articlexlarge_iStock-867773794.jpg 1600w, /cms_media/module_img/9019/4509682_7_articlelarge_iStock-867773794.jpg 1200w, /cms_media/module_img/9019/4509682_7_articlemedium_iStock-867773794.jpg 800w, /cms_media/module_img/9019/4509682_7_articlesmall_iStock-867773794.jpg 600w"> <figcaption class=imgFCap><p>One type of scam involves criminals placing their own QR code on top of a legitimate one — such as those in restaurants, at parking payment points, and on public posters and leaflets. Picture: iStock</p></figcaption></figure></div></div><div class="byline date-byline">Thu, 20 Feb, 2025 - 12:56</div><div class=author-byline><div class="byline">Cormac O’Keeffe, Security Correspondent</div></div><div class=generic-text><div class="ctx_content"><div class=share-buttons-mobile><a href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41578342.html" class=share-popup id=share-f aria-label="Share on Facebook" target=popup><i class="fa fa-facebook-f"></i></a> <a href="https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Irish Examiner - https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41578342.html" id=share-w aria-label="Share on WhatsApp" data-action=share/whatsapp/share target=popup><i class="fa fa-whatsapp"></i></a> <a href="http://www.twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41578342.html" class=share-popup id=share-x aria-label="Share on X" target=popup><svg width=19 height=19 aria-hidden=true viewbox="0 0 24 24"><g><path d="M18.244 2.25h3.308l-7.227 8.26 8.502 11.24H16.17l-5.214-6.817L4.99 21.75H1.68l7.73-8.835L1.254 2.25H8.08l4.713 6.231zm-1.161 17.52h1.833L7.084 4.126H5.117z"></path></g></svg></a><span id=expand-share><i class="fa fa-ellipsis-v"></i><div class=expanded-icons style="display: none"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41578342.html" class=share-popup id=share-l aria-label="Share on LinkedIn"><i class="fa fa-linkedin"></i></a> <a href="https://reddit.com/submit?url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41578342.html&title=Cyber agency issues warning to public over fake QR code scam " class=share-popup id=share-r aria-label="Share on Reddit"><i class="fa fa-reddit-alien"></i></a> <a href="mailto:?subject=Irish Examiner Article&body=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41578342.html" id=share-m aria-label="Share - mail" target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-envelope"></i></a></div></span></div><story><p class="">The State’s cyber security body is urging people to be aware of fraudsters using scam QR codes.</p><p class="">The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) said criminals were placing fake QR codes on legitimate ones in restaurants, parking payment machines, and even on public posters and leaflets.</p><div class="inline-paywall-IE-template"><p class="">This is in addition to well-known fraudulent ‘phishing emails’, but QR codes, which can bypass email security systems, tend to focus on suspicious links or attachments.</p><p class="">In a guide to the public, the NCSC said QR codes were “very easy to create” and could be scanned using a smartphone camera. </p><div data-ad-unit-id="2695176/IrishExaminer/ROS_InContent" id="div-gpt-ad-incontent-0"> <script type="text/javascript">googletag.cmd.push(function(){ googletag.display("div-gpt-ad-incontent-0");}); </script> </div><p class="">It said the convenient shortcut had led to the popular use of QR codes for accessing websites, menus and online payments.</p><p class="">“However, as QR codes have become more common, fraudsters now exploit them to scam people,” the NCSC said. “This is known as “quishing” [QR phishing], and like other phishing scams, it involves tricking people into visiting fraudulent websites.” </p><p class="">It said fraudsters did this to: steal account credentials, like usernames and passwords; and gather sensitive financial information, such as bank or credit card details.</p><p class="">The guide details two types of QR code scams. The first is sent in phishing emails, with the QR code typically in an image or in an attachment.</p><p class="">The second type involves criminals placing their own QR code on top of a legitimate one — such as those in restaurants, at parking payment points, and on public posters and leaflets.</p><p class="">The NCSC said many mobile phones lack security protections to spot this, making them an easy target.</p><div data-ad-unit-id="2695176/IrishExaminer/ROS_InContent" id="div-gpt-ad-incontent-1"> <script type="text/javascript">googletag.cmd.push(function(){ googletag.display("div-gpt-ad-incontent-1");}); </script> </div><p class=""></p> <div style="max-width: 640px;padding: 0px;border-top-width: 1px;border-top-style: solid;border-bottom-width: 1px;border-bottom-style: solid;margin-top: 15px;"> <a href="https://form.jotform.com/200913843322044?urlOf11=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishexaminer.com%2Fnews%2Farid-41578342.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> <div class="row d-flex justify-content-around" style="margin: 0px;padding-top: 8px;padding-bottom: 8px;"> <div class="col-lg-6 col-xl-6 d-flex justify-content-center align-items-center" style="padding: 0px;margin-top: 8px;margin-bottom: 8px;"> <p style="text-align: right;font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;font-size: 20px;line-height: 22px;padding: 0px;padding-left: 10px;padding-right: 10px;margin: 0px;"><em> What's your view on this issue? </em></p> </div> <div class="col-12 col-lg-5 col-xl-5 d-flex justify-content-center align-items-center" style="padding: 0px;background: url('//irishexaminer.com/cms_media/module_ob/0/35_1_quote.svg') top / contain no-repeat;height: 45px;"> <p style="text-align: right;font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;font-size: 21px;line-height: 22px;padding: 0px;padding-left: 10px;padding-right: 10px;margin: 0px;color: rgb(255,255,255);"><em>You can tell us here</em></p> </div> </div> </a> </div> <p></p><p class="">The body advised people to use a trusted QR code scanning app that can block or warn against suspicious links.</p><p class="">It said if people think they have used a dodgy QR code to immediately change passwords, contact their bank and report it to gardaí.</p><p class='contextmenu caption'>Garda warning</p> <p class="">An Garda Síochána, particularly the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau (GNCCB), has issued warnings about rising QR code scams. </p><p class="">Fraudsters place fake QR codes in public spaces to trick users into entering personal and banking details on fraudulent websites.</p><p class=""> <span class="contextmenu emphasis">How to Stay Safe:</span> </p><ul class="listbullet"> <li>Verify the source before scanning a QR code—stick to trusted businesses and official websites.</li> <li>Check for tampering—scammers may place fake QR stickers over legitimate ones. Look for irregularities.</li> <li>Use a trusted QR scanner app—download from reputable stores like Google Play or the Apple App Store.</li> <li>Avoid entering personal or banking details—legitimate businesses rarely request sensitive information via QR codes.</li> <li>Manually enter URLs instead of scanning if you’re unsure about a QR code’s legitimacy.</li> <li>Avoid public Wi-Fi when scanning QR codes leading to payment sites—use a secure connection.</li> <li>Keep your smartphone and apps updated to protect against security threats.</li> <li>Be cautious of "freebies" and prize QR codes—these often lead to scams or phishing attempts.</li> </ul><p class="">If you suspect a QR code scam, report it to An Garda Síochána immediately. 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