Recognize the pattern
How it starts
Parking signs, parcel cards, or message images.
The promise
Scan to pay, claim a reward, or collect a parcel.
What happens next
An overlaid code or fake service entry redirects scans to steal details or payments.
Signs to watch for
- A code appears pasted over another
- The destination is unrelated to the service
- The payee does not match the context
Start with what you can do now
If this happened to you
Close the page and stop payment
Contact your bank if card details were entered
Photograph the altered code and notify the operator
What to save
Keep the original records. Use copies to organize the details.
- Original QR image
- Code location
- Destination URL
- Payee and payment details
Before you send money
- Check destination and payee before acting
- Verify with staff at the location
- Use the official app for payment checks
These guides explain common patterns. The facts of your situation and your payment provider’s rules determine which steps are available.