QR Code Scams in San Antonio, Texas
Latest quishing news, scam reports, and protection tips for San Antonio residents (population 1.5 million)
San Antonio was among the Texas cities flagged by the FBI in its landmark 2022 warning about QR code parking meter scams. The city's tourism industry, including the Riverwalk, provides ongoing opportunities for scammers.
Below you'll find the latest news about QR code scams and quishing attacks affecting San Antonio. Stay informed and scan any QR code with susQR before you click — it's free.
🚨 Notable QR Code Scam Incidents in San Antonio
These are documented QR code scam incidents that have affected San Antonio and the surrounding Texas area:
Bexar County 'Jury Duty' Scam Uses a QR Code to Stage a Fake Zoom Hearing With a Judge
February 2026Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar reported on February 12, 2026 that two women lost a combined $47,500 to callers posing as law enforcement. In one case a 48-year-old woman was kept on the phone for eight hours; scammers sent her a QR code that opened a Zoom call with a supposed judge whose face was never shown, along with a fake arrest warrant and 'maintain contact' order, before directing her to feed $22,500 into Bitcoin ATMs. The sheriff asked San Antonio City Council for an ordinance requiring warning signs on crypto ATMs.
Source: ksat.com
FBI Flags San Antonio Parking Meters in National QR Scam Warning
January 2022San Antonio was specifically named by the FBI when it issued a nationwide public service announcement about fraudulent QR code stickers on parking meters. Local police confirmed fake QR codes were found on meters in the downtown and Riverwalk areas, sending drivers to phishing payment pages.
Riverwalk Tourist QR Code Scam
2024Visitors to the San Antonio Riverwalk reported QR codes on unofficial flyers advertising 'discounted river cruises' and 'exclusive Alamo passes.' The codes directed to fake booking sites that collected credit card numbers. The San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau issued warnings to tourists.
Fake Utility Bill QR Code Notices
2025San Antonio residents reported receiving fake CPS Energy notices in their mailboxes with QR codes for 'overdue payment.' CPS Energy confirmed the notices were fraudulent and reminded customers that legitimate bills include account numbers and can be paid at cpsenergy.com or the official app.
🇺🇸 Latest Nationwide QR Scam Alerts
Federal warnings and research that apply to San Antonio as much as anywhere else:
FTCSee a QR code parked somewhere? Don't scan it... yet
September 3, 2026The FTC warned that scammers are covering legitimate QR codes on parking meters with their own stickers that lead to fake payment sites. Preview the URL before opening it, pay through the official parking app instead, and report fakes at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Source: consumer.ftc.gov
ESETMalicious QR codes in 11% of all phishing email, H1 2026
August 2026ESET's H1 2026 Threat Report found malicious QR codes embedded in at least 11 percent of all phishing email in the first half of 2026, with attackers using QR shorteners, MFA-token harvesting, and pre-filled payment forms.
Source: welivesecurity.com
FTCThat text about a traffic violation is probably a scam
April 2026A second FTC alert on the nationwide wave of fake traffic-ticket, toll, and court-fine texts that carry a QR code instead of a link. No court or DMV sends payment demands by text; confirm any citation using contact details you look up yourself.
Source: consumer.ftc.gov
- Download the official ParkMobile app for San Antonio parking — never scan a meter QR code.
- Book Riverwalk tours and Alamo tickets only from official sites like thealamo.org or rfrwf.com.
- CPS Energy never sends QR codes for bill payment — pay at cpsenergy.com or authorized locations.
📰 Latest QR Code Scam News — San Antonio
Loading the latest San Antonio headlines…
📡 No recent QR scam news specific to San Antonio
That's good news — but it doesn't mean San Antonio residents aren't at risk. QR code scams are happening nationwide, and quishing attacks rose 146% in Q1 2026 alone. Stay vigilant and scan before you click.
🎯 Common QR Code Scams in San Antonio
These are the QR code scams most frequently reported in San Antonio and similar cities across Texas:
🅿️ Parking Meter Scams
Fake QR stickers on parking meters redirect to scam payment pages. Always use the official parking app instead of scanning meter QR codes.
🍽️ Restaurant Menu Swaps
Scammers place fake QR codes over real menu codes at restaurants in San Antonio. Check for sticker overlays before scanning.
📧 Corporate Email Quishing
Employees in San Antonio receive fake emails with QR codes pretending to be from Microsoft, Google, or IT departments.
📦 Package Delivery Scams
Fake "missed delivery" notices with QR codes mimicking USPS, FedEx, or Amazon target San Antonio residents.
⚡ EV Charging Scams
Fake QR codes on EV charging stations redirect to scam payment pages. Use the official charging network app.
📶 Fake Wi-Fi Scams
QR codes in San Antonio cafés, hotels, and public spaces may connect you to attacker-controlled Wi-Fi networks.
For detailed breakdowns of each scam type, see our complete QR code scams guide with 10 real-world examples.
🛡️ How to Stay Safe from QR Code Scams in San Antonio
✅ Quick Safety Checklist for San Antonio Residents
- Scan with susQR first — susQR.com checks any QR code URL against 90+ security vendors for free before you visit it.
- Look before you scan — Check if the QR code is a sticker placed over another code, especially at parking meters and restaurants.
- Use official apps — For parking, EV charging, and payments, use apps downloaded directly from your app store.
- Don't scan QR codes from emails — Legitimate companies send clickable links, not QR codes. A QR code in an email is almost always a scam.
- Verify the URL — After scanning, check that the domain matches the company you expect (e.g., parkmobile.io, not park-m0bile.com).
- Report suspicious QR codes — Notify the business, San Antonio police, and the FBI's IC3.
🔒 Found a Suspicious QR Code in San Antonio?
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🚀 Scan a QR Code Now 📚 What Is Quishing?❓ QR Code Scam FAQ — San Antonio
Are QR code scams common in San Antonio?
QR code scams are increasing across all major U.S. cities, including San Antonio. With quishing up 146% in Q1 2026 nationally and the FTC issuing a fresh parking-meter QR alert in September 2026, San Antonio's 1.5 million residents are among the millions at risk. The most common local scams involve parking meters, restaurant menus, and corporate phishing emails.
Where should I report a QR code scam in San Antonio?
Report QR code scams to the FBI's IC3, the FTC, and your local San Antonio police department's non-emergency line. Also notify the business where the fake QR code was placed so they can remove it.
Is there a free tool to check QR codes in San Antonio?
Yes — susQR.com is a free QR code security scanner that works from any device. It checks URLs against 90+ security vendors, follows redirect chains, and gives you a risk score before you visit the destination. No account needed.
Can I get a virus from scanning a QR code?
Scanning a QR code by itself won't infect your device, but visiting the URL it contains can be dangerous. Some QR code scams lead to sites that attempt malware downloads or trick you into installing malicious apps. Always preview URLs before opening them.
📍 QR Code Scam Reports — Other Cities
See QR code scam news and protection guides for other cities: