oppn parties Quishing: The QR Code Scam Is On The Rise

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  • The Indian envoy in Bangladesh was summoned by the country's government over the breach in the Bangladesh mission in Agartala
  • Bank account to soon have 4 nominees each
  • TMC and SP stayed away from the INDIA bloc protest over the Adani issue in the Lok Sabha
  • Delhi HC stops the police from arresting Nadeem Khan over a viral video which the police claimed promoted 'enmity'. Court says 'India's harmony not so fragile'
  • Trafiksol asked to refund IPO money by Sebi on account of alleged fraud
  • Re goes down to 84.76 against the USD but ends flat after RBI intervenes
  • Sin goods like tobacco, cigarettes and soft drinks likely to face 35% GST in the post-compensation cess era
  • Bank credit growth slows to 11% (20.6% last year) with retail oans also showing a slowdown
  • Stock markets continue their winning streak on Tuesday: Sensex jumps 597 points to 80845 and Nifty gains 181 points to 24457
  • Asian junior hockey: Defending champions India enter the finals by beating Malaysia 3-1, to play Pakistan for the title
  • Chess World title match: Ding Liren salvages a sraw in the 7th game which he almost lost
  • Experts speculate whether Ding Liren wants the world title match against D Gukesh to go into tie-break after he let off Gukesh easily in the 5th game
  • Tata Memorial Hospital and AIIMS have severely criticized former cricketer and Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu for claiming that his wife fought back cancer with home remedies like haldi, garlic and neem. The hospitals warned the public for not going for such unproven remedies and not delaying treatment as it could prove fatal
  • 3 persons died and scores of policemen wer injured when a survey of a mosque in Sambhal near Bareilly in UP turned violent
  • Bangladesh to review power pacts with Indian companies, including those of the Adani group
Devendra Fadnavis to be the next chief minister of Maharashtra after Eknath Shinde agrees to join the government as deputy CM
oppn parties
Quishing: The QR Code Scam Is On The Rise

By Linus Garg
First publised on 2024-09-15 07:44:47

About the Author

Sunil Garodia Linus tackles things head-on. He takes sides in his analysis and it fits excellently with our editorial policy. No 'maybe's' and 'allegedly' for him, only things in black and white.

The Rise of Quishing Scams in India: A Growing Threat to Digital Payments

With the surge in digital payments across India, driven by the convenience of platforms like UPI, a new wave of scams has emerged. One particularly concerning method is quishing, a technique that leverages QR codes to trick unsuspecting individuals into sharing their personal and financial information.

What is Quishing?

Quishing, a combination of "QR" and "phishing," involves the use of fraudulent QR codes to redirect users to malicious websites. These websites often impersonate legitimate platforms, such as banks or e-commerce sites, to deceive users into entering their sensitive data.

The Growing Menace

"Quishing is a relatively unknown but rapidly growing problem that exploits QR codes on mobile devices", warns Trevor Cooke, a privacy expert at EarthWeb. 

Quishing attacks are set to grow dramatically, from 0.8% of all email phishing attacks in 2021 to a staggering 10.8% in 2024 according to a recent intelligence report. 

UPI fraud complaints have seen a significant increase in India (from 15,000 cases in 2022 to over 30,000 in 2023), with cases involving QR code scams accounting for a substantial portion.

This trend highlights the growing sophistication of cybercriminals and the need for heightened awareness among users.

Beyond UPI: The Broader Risks

Quishing scams are not limited to UPI payments. Scanning any QR code that redirects to a third-party website can pose a risk to your financial security. These codes can be found in various settings, making it essential to exercise caution.

How Quishing Works and Staying Safe

Scammers often employ tactics like requesting victims to scan QR codes that lead to fraudulent websites. These sites may ask for UPI PINs or other personal information under the guise of verification. Once obtained, scammers can gain unauthorized access to bank accounts and siphon off funds.

To protect yourself from quishing scams:

1. Avoid scanning suspicious QR codes.

2. Verify the authenticity of websites.

3. Never share your UPI PIN or personal details.

By staying vigilant and informed, you can help mitigate the risks associated with quishing scams and ensure the security of your digital transactions.