QRTrust Blog
Latest insights on QR code security, quishing, and cyber threats
July 25, 2026 · 6 min read
Security
Fake QR Codes Reported in The Hague, Ieper and Noord-Limburg as Quishing Spreads Across the Benelux
Four new cases of QR code fraud have been reported in the Netherlands and Belgium, including in The Hague, Ieper and Noord-Limburg. Dutch journalist Alberto Stegeman warned about the scam on national television. The cases indicate that quishing is increasingly crossing borders.
July 24, 2026 · 5 min read
Security
Police Warn of Fake Parking Tickets with QR Codes in Villingen-Schwenningen
Unknown perpetrators placed fake parking tickets on parked cars in Villingen-Schwenningen, police said. The notices carry the city logo and the correct number plate; the QR code leads to a fraudulent payment site. Police warned of the quishing scam.
June 30, 2026 · 5 min read
Security
Police Find Eight Fake QR Codes on Parking Machines in Frankfurt's Nordend and Westend
Frankfurt police said they discovered at least eight fake EasyPark QR codes on parking machines, including on Fichardstraße and Grüneburgweg. A linked fake website collected credit card details. Police warned of the scam known as quishing.
June 18, 2026 · 5 min read
Security
Fake QR Codes Found on Almost All Parking Machines in Dorsten City Centre
Fraudsters attached fake EasyPark stickers to almost all parking ticket machines in Dorsten's city centre. The linked phishing site easy-parked.com collected credit card data. The city has responded and issued a warning about the scam.
May 24, 2026 · 6 min read
Tagesschau & rbb
German Broadcasters Tagesschau and rbb Warn of Quishing QR Code Fraud in Berlin
German public broadcasters tagesschau.de and rbb have warned of quishing: fake QR codes on parking meters, charging stations and in counterfeit letters lead to phishing sites that harvest banking and credit card data, the report said.
April 23, 2026 · 5 min read
Warning from Poland
Poland Warns of Quishing Scam Using Fake Tax Notices Under Windshield Wipers
Flyers designed to look like notices from Poland's tax administration have been placed under the windshield wipers of parked cars, authorities said. A QR code on the flyers leads to a fake government website that asks for national ID numbers, login details and credit card data.
March 23, 2026 · 5 min read
Police Report
Quishing at EV Charging Station: Fake QR Code Redirected Driver to Phishing Site
A fake QR code sticker was found on a public EV charging station in Schwabenheim, Germany, police in Mainz said. A driver was redirected to a fraudulent website, and criminals attempted to charge his credit card.
March 20, 2026 · 5 min read
Police Warning
Police Warn of Quishing After Fake Bank Letters with QR Codes Surface in Tauberbischofsheim
A company in Tauberbischofsheim received counterfeit bank letters containing QR codes, although it holds no account at the bank named, Heilbronn police said. Authorities warned of the fraud method known as quishing. Letters in the names of several banks have been documented.
February 11, 2026 · 6 min read
Warning
Fake DKB Bank Letters With QR Code in Circulation
Fraudulent letters purporting to come from German bank DKB are in circulation, according to reports on Reddit. The letters contain a QR code leading to a fake login page. Police say the scheme also targets customers of Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank and ING.
January 21, 2026 · 4 min read
BSI Warning
BSI Warns of WhatsApp Account Takeovers via Ghost Pairing
Germany's Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) has warned of a phishing method known as Ghost Pairing, in which criminals abuse WhatsApp's device linking feature to gain access to messages and contacts.
December 31, 2025 · 6 min read
Security
Kaspersky Reports 430 Percent Rise in Quishing Attacks Within Three Months
The number of malicious QR codes in emails rose from 47,000 to 250,000 cases between August and November 2025, according to security firm Kaspersky. Attackers mainly used PDF attachments and targeted mobile devices, the company said.
December 18, 2025 · 7 min read
Security
Fake DHL Package Notices with QR Codes Found in Mailboxes
Scammers are placing fake DHL delivery notices in mailboxes. The printed QR code leads to phishing pages that collect credit card data. The scam, known as quishing, has been reported in Germany during the 2025 holiday season.
December 13, 2025 · 8 min read
Security
Fake QR Codes Found at DEW21 Charging Stations in Dortmund
Unknown perpetrators attached fake QR codes to DEW21 charging stations in Dortmund-Wambel. The codes lure electric vehicle drivers with a supposed flat rate of 17 euros into a fraudulent WhatsApp contact. The method is a form of QR code phishing known as quishing.
December 8, 2025 · 6 min read
Security
Fake Bitcoin Wallets with QR Codes Found in Dortmund
Plastic bags containing fake paper wallet printouts were found in Dortmund's Weststadt district. The printed QR codes lead to fraudulent websites. The approach resembles known scams at charging stations.
December 5, 2025 · 6 min read
News
Quishing Incidents Must Be Reported to Germany's BSI Within 24 Hours Under NIS-2
Since December 5, 2025, companies in Germany have been required to report significant security incidents to the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI). Quishing attacks must be reported via the Alliance for Cyber Security form. An overview of deadlines, forms and required information.
December 5, 2025 · 12 min read
Security
NIS2 Law 2025: New Obligations for Companies Using Public QR Codes
Germany's NIS2 Implementation Act of December 2, 2025 tightens cybersecurity requirements. Quishing attacks must be reported, executives can be held personally liable, and the law provides for fines of up to €10 million.
November 13, 2025 · 9 min read
Security
BSI Report 2025: Cyber Espionage Targets German Public Administration
Cyber spies are specifically targeting German government agencies, according to the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI). The report ranks Germany as the fourth most frequently targeted country worldwide and records a rise in phishing, quishing and vishing attacks.
November 10, 2025 · 8 min read
Security
Police Report Three QR Code Scams Targeting Classified Ad Sellers in Märkischer Kreis
Fraudsters sent QR codes to sellers on classified ad platforms in three cases in Märkischer Kreis, police said. The codes led to fake payment pages.
November 8, 2025 · 7 min read
Security
Quishing in Dortmund: Fake QR Codes Found Again on Parking Meters
Fake QR codes have again been discovered on parking meters in Dortmund's city centre. It is the latest in a series of cases reported in 2025. An overview of the known incidents in chronological order.
November 5, 2025 · 5 min read
News
QRTrust Joins start2grow Startup Competition in Dortmund
QRTrust, a QR code security platform based in Dortmund, has entered the start2grow startup competition. The company is seeking project partnerships with municipalities, public authorities and businesses.
October 31, 2025 · 7 min read
Security
Deutsche Bank Warns of Fake Letters Containing QR Codes
Fraudsters are sending fake letters purporting to come from Deutsche Bank, the bank said. The letters contain QR codes for a supposed TAN update. The bank advises recipients not to scan the codes.
October 24, 2025 · 6 min read
Security
NIS2 Directive: QRTrust Offers Authorities an Early Warning System for Quishing Incidents
Under the EU's NIS2 directive, municipalities and public authorities must detect, document and report IT security incidents at an earlier stage. QRTrust provides an early warning system with forensic evidence preservation and automated reporting chains for quishing incidents in public spaces.
October 21, 2025 · 8 min read
Security
What Is Quishing? QR Code Phishing Explained — Definition, Cases and Protection 2026
Quishing is phishing via QR codes. Industry data show attempts rose by more than 600 percent worldwide in 2026. This article explains how the scam works, how it can be detected and what authorities recommend — with BSI and police data, 18 documented cases from Germany, and a full FAQ.