Updated September 2026: in 2020 I noticed that my iPhone scanned a shop's QR code straight from the camera while many Android phones then needed a separate app. QR scanning is now built into almost every phone, and QR scams have grown. I have rewritten it into a guide to scanning QR codes safely in India.
At a local shop, the owner announced they were now online and invited customers to scan a QR code at the counter for a surprise gift. My iPhone read it directly from the camera. At the time, several Android phones needed a separate scanner app, which I thought was a strange gap.
Do Android phones scan QR codes without an app now?
Yes, most do. Google Lens is built into the camera on many Android phones, and recent Android versions offer a QR scanner in the Quick Settings panel. Phone makers such as Samsung also include scanning in their camera apps. A separate app is rarely needed.
What are the risks of scanning QR codes?
- Payment scams: a fraudster sends a QR code claiming you will receive money. Scanning a UPI QR code is only ever for paying, never for receiving.
- Fake links: codes pasted over genuine ones can lead to phishing sites.
- Malicious downloads: codes that prompt you to install an app.
How do you scan safely?
Check the link preview before opening it, and do not proceed if the address looks odd. When paying by UPI, confirm the merchant name shown in your app before entering your PIN. Be wary of codes offering gifts or refunds.
What should shops do?
Display QR codes where staff can see them, check regularly that nobody has stuck a different code on top, and use the payment provider's sound box or confirmation to verify each payment.
What if you have been scammed through a QR code?
Call the national cybercrime helpline 1930 immediately, report on the cybercrime portal, and inform your bank. Quick reporting improves the chance of stopping the money.
Is QR scanning still worth using?
Yes. UPI QR payments are fast and convenient. A few seconds of checking make them safe.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.