Nowadays, many people opt for making online payments and online transactions. But the last few days have seen an increase in cyber crime. Users are being trapped with the help of QR codes. If you are making a payment by scanning a QR code at a shop or petrol pump, you need to be alert in time. QR codes are commonly used when sending money online to shop owners. However, it has come to light that this is a fraud. Quick Response (QR) was first developed in Japan. It is now widely used in India. Let's find out what is QR code phishing and how it is dangerous.
Fraudsters share a QR code over WhatsApp asking for the code to be scanned to receive money in their account. This QR code, a feature in some UPI apps, is in fact a collect request and scanning and entering your PIN is acceding to their request. Again you need to scan QR only to make payments. In such case you do not need to share card number, expiry date, PIN, OTP etc. with anyone.
QR code is a different method of phishing. For this, scammers are sending you QR codes via message or email. In which users are given false information that they have won a lottery of Rs 10,000. And they ask for your UPI pin to transfer money in your bank account. A UPI PIN is requested when you are scanning the QR code. You think the money will come into your account. However, as soon as you enter the UPI PIN, your money goes into the scammer's account.
The QR code is likely to change when you scan a QR code at a petrol pump or shop and pay. Payments are transferred to the scammer's account while scanning the QR code. So be careful when scanning the QR code and making a payment. Instead of paying in such a way, choose an app that has all the details. Also, report to the cyber cell as soon as you realize that you have been cheated.