EV-Charger QR 'Quishing' Scam
Fraudulent QR stickers placed on EV chargers send drivers to fake payment pages that steal card details instead of starting a charge.
Think a message like this reached you? You can check it right now.
What this scam is
Scammers place counterfeit QR-code stickers over the legitimate ones on public EV charging stations. When you scan to pay and start charging, you land on a convincing fake page that captures your card and personal details (and no charge begins). It's a location-specific version of QR phishing ('quishing'). Using the charging network's official app, and being wary of stickers that look added or mismatched, are the defenses.
What it usually looks like
- A QR code on an EV charger to scan and pay.
- A sticker that looks added over the original.
- A payment page not matching the charging network's app.
- The charge not starting after you 'pay.'
Common warning signs
- QR stickers that appear applied over the real one.
- Payment pages that aren't the official network.
- Requests for full card details via a scanned link.
- No charging session starting.
Example wording scammers use
“Scan to start charging and pay (QR sticker on the charger).”
“(Fake page) 'Enter your card to begin your session.'”
These are illustrative examples written by ScamSplain, not real messages.
What the scammers want
- Your card and personal details.
- To hijack the charging payment.
- To exploit unfamiliarity with new stations.
What to do
- Start and pay for charging through the network's official app when possible.
- Inspect QR codes for tampering/added stickers.
- Verify the payment site matches the official network before entering card details.
- Report suspicious QR codes to the network/venue.
What to do if you already responded
- Call your card issuer and dispute charges.
- Report the tampered charger to the network/venue.
- Report at reportfraud.ftc.gov.