4 min read

What Are Fake QR Codes & How to Detect Tampered Stickers

Malicious actors sometimes paste fake QR code stickers over authentic parking payment signs or restaurant menus to redirect victims to credential-harvesting phishing pages.

How to Detect a Tampered QR Code

  1. Feel the Surface: Check if the QR code is a sticker pasted over the original metal or plastic signage.
  2. Check the Preview URL: Modern smartphone cameras show the destination domain before opening. Always verify the domain name matches the official company.
  3. Never Enter Passwords on Unfamiliar Domains: Legitimate parking meters and menus never demand your email password or banking PIN.