10 Real-Life Quishing Attack Examples to Strengthen Your Cybersecurity

As QR codes become increasingly common across industries, they’ve also become a new target for cybercriminals through quishing—a type of QR code phishing attack. Quishing takes advantage of the trust users place in QR codes by embedding malicious links that, when scanned, lead users to phishing sites designed to steal personal information, passwords, or access to secure systems.

These scams are often hard to spot because they appear in everyday contexts like restaurants, parking meters, or social media. Hackers cleverly mask their attacks to resemble trusted sources, making it essential for organizations to understand these risks and equip employees with the knowledge to stay safe.

In this article, we’ll look at 10 real-life quishing examples, breaking down how they work and how to build defenses to keep your data secure.

Why Quishing is a Growing Cybersecurity Threat

As QR codes have become the preferred method for contactless interaction, cybercriminals have found ways to exploit them. Through quishing attacks, hackers use QR codes to bypass traditional security filters, directing users to fake websites or downloading malware onto their devices with a single scan.

For organizations, security awareness training and phishing simulations that include quishing scenarios are essential defenses. By training employees to recognize suspicious QR codes, companies can stay ahead of these increasingly sophisticated threats.

Let’s explore 10 real-life examples of quishing attacks and how to defend against them.

1. Restaurant Menu QR Code Scams

With many restaurants using QR codes for touchless menus, attackers have taken advantage by inserting malicious QR codes into these settings. A common tactic involves criminals placing fake QR code stickers over the real ones. When customers scan the fake code, they’re directed to a fraudulent site disguised as the restaurant’s menu page, which prompts them to enter payment information. This process captures valuable credit card data for the attacker.

Check the video below to see how this type of scam works in real life.

To prevent these incidents, businesses in the hospitality sector can use tools like Keepnet Security Awareness Training to educate staff on quishing. Training employees to recognize fake QR codes and verify their proper placement can help keep customers safe from these scams.

2. Parking Meter Payment Scams

Attackers often target parking meters by placing fake QR codes over the genuine ones, tricking users into scanning them. When a victim scans the fake code, they are directed to a fake payment page, where they unknowingly enter their credit card details. Believing they’ve paid for parking, victims don’t realize that their payment information has been captured by hackers.

Watch the video below, where Keepnet demonstrates a real-life scenario of this scam.

To counter these scams, organizations can use tools like Keepnet’s Phishing Simulator to prepare employees. Through realistic simulations, staff learn to identify warning signs of fake QR codes, building resilience against QR-based phishing schemes.

3. COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment Scams

During the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, attackers took advantage of the demand for vaccines by distributing fake QR codes for vaccine appointments. These fake codes were placed in hospitals and clinics, leading people to phishing sites that appeared legitimate but requested sensitive information, such as personal details or payment information.

Healthcare organizations can protect staff and patients by using Keepnet’s Quishing Simulator to create simulations of similar scams. These training scenarios prepare employees to recognize and respond to QR code phishing attempts, strengthening cybersecurity in high-risk, sensitive environments like healthcare facilities.

4. Airline Boarding Pass Scams

As airlines adopted contactless boarding, quishing attacks on boarding passes became more common. Hackers began distributing fake QR codes on boarding passes, leading travelers to phishing sites designed to look like official airline check-in portals. When passengers entered their travel and payment information, attackers captured this data for malicious use.

Airlines can protect passengers and employees by using the Keepnet Quishing Simulator to train staff. By exposing employees to realistic quishing scenarios, this tool helps increase awareness and build resilience in high-traffic, high-risk environments like airports.

5. Charity Event Quishing Scams

Charity events and donation drives are common settings for QR code scams. Attackers place fake QR codes on donation boxes or signs, leading donors to look-alike donation sites where attackers capture personal and payment data.

With Keepnet’s Security Awareness Educator, organizations can run quishing simulations for employees to improve their ability to detect these scams and respond effectively.

6. Cryptocurrency Investment QR Code Scams

The world of cryptocurrency has seen a rise in QR-based phishing. Attackers often create QR codes that appear to link to legitimate crypto platforms but redirect users to look-alike sites where personal information and wallet credentials are stolen.

Cryptocurrency firms can deploy customized phishing simulations to train employees to spot fake QR codes. Keepnet’s Phishing Simulator provides a controlled environment to test and boost detection rates among staff.

7. Social Media Promotion Scams

QR codes are now commonly used in social media promotions, which attackers exploit to run quishing scams. In these scams, hackers share a QR code claiming it links to a contest entry or giveaway. However, when users scan the code, they’re directed to phishing sites that ask for personal information, payment details, or login credentials.

By implementing security awareness training from Keepnet, social media teams and employees can learn to recognize and report these fake promotions, protecting both users and the company’s brand reputation from quishing threats.

8. Hotel WiFi Quishing Attacks

Hotels commonly use QR codes for in-room services, including WiFi access. However, attackers exploit this convenience by placing fake QR codes on welcome materials or in guest rooms. When guests scan these codes, they’re connected to rogue networks that capture personal data or install malware on their devices.

To combat these threats, hotels can use the Keepnet Quishing Simulator to run realistic quishing scenarios, training staff to recognize and prevent fake WiFi login attempts. This proactive approach helps protect both the business and its guests from data breaches and malware.

9. Real Estate Listings and “For Sale” Sign Scams

To provide quick access to property details, real estate firms often place QR codes on “For Sale” signs and property listings. However, attackers take advantage of this by adding fake QR codes to these signs. When potential buyers scan these fake codes, they’re directed to fraudulent websites where they unknowingly enter personal information, which hackers then use for identity theft.

Real estate agents and firms can protect their clients by using quishing awareness training. This training helps agents spot suspicious QR codes on property signs or listings, keeping buyers safe from phishing sites and safeguarding the firm’s reputation.

10. Banking and Financial Statement QR Code Scams

In the financial sector, attackers frequently place fake QR codes on invoices, bank statements, and email receipts. These codes direct customers to phishing sites that closely mimic official bank portals. When users enter their login credentials or financial information, attackers gain access to sensitive banking data, putting customers at risk of fraud and data theft.

For banks and financial services, integrating phishing simulations and security awareness training is essential. These tools give employees hands-on experience in recognizing and handling quishing threats while reinforcing defenses across the organization. By testing responses in realistic scenarios, banks can strengthen their resilience against increasingly sophisticated quishing attacks.

How Keepnet’s QR Simulator and Security Awareness Training Defend Against Quishing

With QR codes becoming common in business operations, quishing attacks (QR code phishing) are increasingly targeting employees and customers alike. These attacks take advantage of how easy QR codes are to use, hiding malicious links that can cause data breaches, unauthorized access, and financial loss. To help companies proactively defend against this growing threat, Keepnet offers two powerful solutions that train employees to detect and respond to quishing attempts effectively:

1. Quishing Simulator: Keepnet’s QR Simulator enables companies to run realistic attack scenarios that mimic quishing tactics. Employees gain hands-on experience spotting fake QR codes, navigating phishing attempts, and reporting suspicious activity. Customizable to fit specific industry needs, this tool ensures employees are prepared for real-world threats.
2. Security Awareness Training: Keepnet’s Security Awareness Training program includes modules specifically designed for quishing awareness, teaching employees to identify and respond to QR-based phishing attempts. With up-to-date examples and insights into evolving threats, employees build a proactive mindset around QR code security.

Equip your team with the skills and confidence to recognize and prevent quishing threats—book your demo with Keepnet today.