In recent months, many people have found themselves caught up in the same scam: a seemingly official letter, a purported administrative notice, and the belief that they have actually done something wrong. Then comes the twist: it was all a hoax.
This is a meticulously crafted scam, designed to trick the victim into scanning a QR code; the victim is then redirected to a website created specifically by the criminals, which looks exactly like that of the Public Administration.
This technique has a specific name: quishing; it is a variant of phishing, which replaces the classic malicious link with a QR code.
A clever choice, as the act of scanning a QR code in our everyday lives is already quite natural in itself; when your mind is already preoccupied with the anxiety of the fine, your critical judgement is further lowered.
How ‘fake fine’ quishing really works
The process is always the same: a notification arrives via email, or even printed on paper. The logos are in the right place, the language is credible, and the layout perfectly mimics that of a public body.
Well disguised within this realistic context, a request for urgent payment appears, accompanied by a QR code. The moment you scan it, you are redirected to a fake website, which mimics the official page of the local council or payment platform in every detail.
That is when the real danger strikes; if you enter your card details or online banking credentials, the criminals can access your funds within minutes.
These attacks succeed because they exploit very simple psychological dynamics; authority, whether real or perceived, lowers our guard, whilst urgency pushes us to make impulsive decisions. Upon hearing of the risk of a higher fine or even legal proceedings, the priority becomes settling the matter, not verifying whether the notice is genuine or not.
How to spot a fake fine without letting anxiety get the better of you
The most important thing to remember is that a genuine fine never requires payment via a QR code that links to an unknown website. Public authorities use certified channels and official platforms, such as PagoPA. Any shortcut or deviation should immediately set off alarm bells.
The language used often gives scammers away too. Although they have become increasingly sophisticated, small imperfections frequently crop up in their communications: awkward phrasing, inappropriate terminology, rushed translations. A public body will never send documents riddled with errors.
Another simple check is the content of the allegation: were you really at the place where you allegedly committed the offence? Was the car really there? Have you already received an official notification via certified email or registered post? If the story doesn’t add up, it’s time to stop.
Finally, always pay attention to where the QR code takes you; if the URL looks strange, is too long, or is full of random characters, close the page without a second thought. Official addresses are recognisable, clean and institutional.
What to do if you’ve already scanned the QR code
Did you realise the scam in time and haven’t entered any details? Take a deep breath, close your browser and clear your history, making sure not to download anything that’s offered to you.
If, on the other hand, you’ve already entered your card number, login details or sensitive data, act immediately; block your card via your bank’s app or by calling the dedicated helpline, change your online banking passwords from a secure device and report everything to the Cybercrime Unit, attaching the suspicious message.
The quicker you act, the better your chances of limiting the damage.
The questions I’m asked most often when I talk about phishing
One of the most common questions is whether fines can be sent via email; the answer, barring very specific exceptions, is no.
Public authorities use certified email (PEC) or registered post. A simple email with a QR code requesting direct payment should be treated with suspicion.
Another question concerns the notices found on the windscreen: yes, even those can be forged. Before paying, always check the fine on the council’s official website by entering the address manually, without using the QR code.
Why do scammers use QR codes? Because they are perfect for bypassing automatic checks and exploit a now instinctive action. Your phone is always to hand, and is often less secure than a computer.
Pausing for a moment is the real protection
Security isn’t just a technical issue; above all, it’s a matter of paying attention. Taking thirty seconds to verify a sender, read the URL or ask yourself one more question can really prevent disasters.
Urgency is the criminals’ best weapon; calm, on the other hand, is yours.
If a message seems strange, treat it as such. The trap only works if you let yourself be caught up in the rush.
Analysis by Federico Branchetti – Developer, Cyberoo
