Understanding QR Code Security Standards: Preventing Data Breaches, Phishing, and Scams in 2025

Understanding QR Code Security Standards: Preventing Data Breaches, Phishing, and Scams in 2025

QR code scams are more common now than one might think. In 2023, 26% of all malicious links were embedded in QR codes. The same year there was a staggering 587% increase in quishing incidents. 

Even more alarming, QR codes were involved in 22% of all phishing attacks during this period. These numbers illustrate how scammers are leveraging the speedy growth of this technology for their own nefarious purposes.

How do QR code scams work?

Scammers take advantage of QR codes because they are easy to use and very popular. While a legitimate QR code will take you to a safe, designated website, a compromised QR code will redirect you to a malicious one that can steal your data and money. 

When you scan one of these compromised QR codes, it directly takes you to a phishing site instead of the authentic site. These malicious codes may also trigger malware downloads without warning which makes it impossible for the users to realize that they are being scammed before it’s too late.

What makes them even more effective is that QR codes can hide their destination URLs, making it nearly impossible to verify the link before scanning.

QR Code Security Threats

Phishing and Quishing Attacks

Phishing is a cybercrime in which scammers launch an attack to obtain sensitive data. They typically do this through fraudulent emails, messages, or websites that look legitimate. People usually fall for such scams as they pretend to be a legitimate entity.

When a scammer uses a QR code to steal your sensitive data, such as payment credentials or passwords, instead of emails or messages, we call it “Quishing” – QR code-based phishing.

These fraudulent QR codes are embedded with malicious URLs that direct you to a malicious website that may look almost identical to a real one. These sites, however, are designed to steal your data.

Malware and Spyware

A fraudulent QR code can also direct you to a compromised website, which initiates the download of malicious software. Scammers can infect your device with spyware or malware.

They can further steal your private data or track your device activity by providing unauthorized access to the user’s device. Cybercriminals can use this method to gain control over your devices.

Payment Frauds

QR codes are often used for payment systems, particularly in contactless payments. Criminals can easily replace a legitimate QR code with a malicious one, leading users to make payments to fraudulent accounts.

Such fraud can be difficult to trace and recover, especially if proper security measures are not in place.

Case Study: Texas street parking QR scam, USA

After the COVID 19 pandemic, there was a sharp increase in QR scams. In 2022, scammers hit the cities across street parking stations in Texas, placing malicious QR codes on meters. The QR directed users to a fraudulent website that impersonated a legitimate entity. Many fell victim to this scam and had money taken through a malicious QR code.

This came to public attention when employees of ParkHouston noticed one of these QR codes attached to the on-street parking stations. ParkHouston employees told the media, ‘The City of Houston DOES NOT use QR codes on any on-street parking pay stations, nor does the city accept payments through QR codes.’ They also warned the public ‘to not pay through QR.’ The FBI also warned the public about this particular scam.

Warning poster published by ParkHouston

This incident highlights the need for businesses and consumers to remain vigilant and be more aware of QR scams. Proactive awareness is highly crucial when it comes to preventing people from falling victim to such scams.

Case Study: SingPass QR code scam in Singapore

In February of 2022, victims of a new scam reported to police that they saw some unusual activities after they had scanned a QR code that was sent to them via email or text message.

After receiving multiple complaints, the police warned about the suspicious ‘Singapass QR code.’ Singpass, or Singapore password, is a tool that allows people to interact with different government agencies and businesses. As of 2025, scammers are still tricking people into revealing their credentials.

Poster published by GovTech, Singapore.

Photo credit WAYD

This was another case where scammers didn’t hesitate to impersonate the government and scam citizens directly by sending them a QR code. These cases should be taken as alarming calls by everyone across the globe, and people should be more cautious when scanning any QR code. It is crucial to spread awareness across nations about these scams. Awareness is always the first step towards mitigation.

Find out how to check if a QR code is safe.

How to Mitigate QR Code Security Risks

Check the Source

Do not scan public QR codes. Ensure that the source of the QR is trustworthy before scanning. Check the URL while the QR directs you to a website. For physical codes, such as advertisements, feel free to ask employees if the QR is authorized or not. 

If you are taken to a malicious website, don’t click on anything and immediately close that website. Don’t forget to inform the concerned authorities about the malicious QR.

Use Secure QR Code Generators

Use secure and trusted QR code generation tools that follow security standards like QR Code Developer. If you are creating QR Codes for your business, QR Code Developer also provides a dashboard to track usage, scans, devices used, and the location of your consumer.

Implement QR Code Scanning Security

Switch to QR code generators with built-in security features that can identify potentially malicious codes. Tools like QR Code Developer blocks risky URLs from generating QR codes.

Educating Employees

For businesses, it is essential to make their employees aware of QR scams. It is important for businesses to make sure that their employees are well aware of phishing scams to prevent data breaches.

Steps QR Code Developer has taken to prevent QR scams

QR Code Developer advocates and prioritizes customer data security. Understanding the risks involved with QR codes, we are dedicated to taking all necessary measures to ensure that our QR codes are safe for everyone. 

A QR code acts as a link between two parties. We understand that it can also be a way for scammers to reach you. We use third-party security software that automatically blocks compromised URLs and prevents scammers from generating QR codes with our tool.

Businesses need to gain their customers’ trust regarding data security. For that, using QR codes created by a trusted entity becomes crucial.

As QR codes continue to grow in popularity and industries incorporate them into various business applications, like everyday payments, security must be a top priority for everyone.

Conclusion

While QR codes are undoubtedly a very convenient tool, we should not overlook the security concerns involved like Quishing or malware to payment fraud. As discussed in the piece, scammers are evolving with technology. This makes a crucial need of the hour for both businesses and consumers to be more vigilant. By leveraging secure QR code generators and QR code scanners, verifying the sources, and educating employees, the consequences can be surely minimized.