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New scam preys on tourists: Scammers use fake QR codes and empty your accounts, here's how to spot them
๐Ÿ‡ญ๐Ÿ‡ท Croatia /Crime & Justice

New scam preys on tourists: Scammers use fake QR codes and empty your accounts, here's how to spot them

From Veฤernji List · (7m ago) Croatian Critical tone

Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Tourists are being targeted by a new scam called 'quishing,' which combines QR codes with phishing tactics.
  • Criminals use fake QR codes on menus, parking meters, or in emails/SMS to redirect victims to malicious websites.
  • The scam exploits the routine use of QR codes, urging users to verify sources and check URLs before entering personal data.

Veฤernji List warns travelers about a sophisticated new scam targeting tourists, dubbed 'quishing.' This threat cleverly exploits the ubiquity of QR codes, turning a common convenience into a potential gateway for cybercriminals. The article emphasizes that this isn't about high-tech wizardry but rather preying on human habit and a lack of vigilance. By placing deceptive QR codes on everyday items like restaurant menus or parking meters, scammers trick unsuspecting visitors into visiting fake websites designed to steal sensitive information, including financial details. The report highlights the psychological aspect of the scam, noting that people often scan codes without a second thought. Veฤernji List stresses the importance of verifying the origin of QR codes and scrutinizing web addresses before proceeding, urging readers to protect themselves by exercising caution and reporting any suspicious activity to the authorities. This proactive approach is crucial for safeguarding personal data and preventing financial loss while traveling.

Policija istiฤe da prijevara ne ovisi toliko o sofisticiranoj tehnologiji koliko o ljudskoj rutini. Buduฤ‡i da su QR kodovi postali svakodnevni alat, mnogi ih skeniraju bez razmiลกljanja i provjere izvora

โ€” Spanish PoliceThe Spanish police highlight that the scam relies more on human routine than sophisticated technology, as people tend to scan QR codes without checking their source.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Veฤernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.