What is the FBI warning about QR codes?

The FBI's warning (public service announcement from January 2022, still current advice) says criminals tamper with legitimate QR codes — typically by placing their own sticker on top — to redirect victims to phishing sites, steal login and payment details, or trigger malicious app downloads. Parking meters, restaurant tables and posters are the classic targets.

The FBI's own recommendations: check the URL after scanning before you act on it, be cautious entering credentials or payment info reached via a QR code, don't download apps from a QR code (use the official app store search), and physically check whether a code is a sticker over another code.

Sensible advice — QR codes themselves aren't dangerous, unverified destinations are. When in doubt, run the code through our free safety checker first.