Alarm level red in Bavaria: False QR codes on parking machines!
Alarm level red in Bavaria: False QR codes on parking machines!
More and more drivers in Bavaria are being victims of fraudsters who attach fake QR codes to parking machines. This fraud stitch, which wants to make friends with the convenience of modern payment methods, has increased significantly in recent months. The Bavarian police first registered the phenomenon in September 2023, and the number of incidents has increased significantly since then. While only a few cases were reported in 2024, more people have already registered this year than in the entire previous year, which fueled the alert willingness of the authorities.
Cities such as Augsburg and Neustadt an der Aisch are particularly affected, where the fake QR code stickers were discovered on parking machines. These stickers guide users to deceptively real -looking websites on which they are asked to enter personal data. This can have fatal consequences because such inputs can lead to credit card fraud. So far, only a few fraud victims have reported that have been betrayed by a three -digit sum, but the number of unreporters of those affected could be significantly higher, since many may fear their data and finances.growing threat from quishing
This type of fraud is known as "quishing", a term that describes the use of fake QR codes and domains by cybercriminal. Through Quishing, fraudsters try to steal personal data and payment information. This threat is also assessed as high at large events, such as the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris in 2024. Almost 200 fake domains were registered there to deceive users, and examples such as "Parisolympics2024.Store" and "Shop Olympics.shop" show how easy it is for fraudsters to imitate legitimate pages.
users should therefore be particularly mindful if they scan QR codes. Security researchers recommend checking the URL after scanning and using QR code scanners that show a URL preview. In addition, manual entering the URL in the browser can represent a safer alternative. Security measures such as the examination for SSL certificates and the use of link checkers can also be helpful to protect themselves from such attacks.
fight against the mesh
The Bavarian police are determined by the threat, but has not yet been able to determine any suspects. The authorities advise the citizens to remain vigilant and critically question the origin of QR codes. Stickers can also appear in other public areas, such as pedestrian zones or on posters. The clarification of the dangers of this fraud stitch is crucial to avoid further personal data and financial losses.
those affected are asked to contact the police immediately in the event of suspected cases in order to minimize the number of unreported cases and to account for potential perpetrators. PNP reports on the increasing number of cases, while the Allgäuer Zeitung indicates the specific locations where these QR-CODES have already been discovered. Further information on the protection against fraudulent QR codes can be found on Security Insider .
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| Ort | Augsburger Innenstadt, Deutschland |
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