The QR Code Scam You’ve Probably Seen on TikTok

CHATTANOOGA, TN – You may have seen the videos on TikTok or Instagram, but there is a new scam that you might not even see coming.

Have you ever paid to park then got a call from your bank stating that someone was playing online video games with your account and it was in the Netherlands?  I got that call recently and I was driving.  Also, I don’t play online video games anymore so there was no chance it was me.  What happened to me happens to numerous other people.  You scan a QR code to pay to park, and it takes you to a malicious website where a hacker steals your information.  To make matters worse, I still got a parking ticket.

Let’s start with what is a QR Code?  Well, it was developed in Japan by Masahiro Hara in 1994 and stands for Quick Response Code.  He was working for Denso Wave and it was used to label car parts for inventory purposes.  During COVID, the QR code experienced a revival because you could have a contactless menu at any restaurant and now, we use it to link to websites at trade show and even to pay to park.

So how does this new scam work? You park at a public or private lot and you scan the QR code on the sign by your car.  Ideally it takes you to the parking authorities payment site, but scammers are now replacing the QR code with their malicious one that will take you to their website.  If the QR code has been replaced it will look and appear as the company with a few letters changed so it’s just enough different.  To avoid this and other similar tragedies, make sure everything matches and nothing seems out of the ordinary.  If your phones virus software says it’s not a safe site – it’s probably trying to help you.  You should call the number of the parking company, or pay at the machine with your card.  Under no circumstances should you continue to pay on a scam site.

QR Codes are still a useful tool.  Watch the video and scan the one we created as our friends at Epikos Comics and Games are giving away a rare and unique comic if you’re one of the chosen winners.