susQR Spot a QR? Check it right where you are.

QR Code Scams in San Diego, California

Latest quishing news, scam reports, and protection tips for San Diego residents (population 1.4 million)

San Diego's beach communities, tourism hotspots, and growing tech sector all rely on QR codes. Scammers have targeted parking meters, tourist attractions, and the Gaslamp Quarter with fraudulent QR codes.

Below you'll find the latest news about QR code scams and quishing attacks affecting San Diego. Stay informed and scan any QR code with susQR before you click — it's free.

🚨 Notable QR Code Scam Incidents in San Diego

These are documented QR code scam incidents that have affected San Diego and the surrounding California area:

SDG&E: Fake Shutoff Calls Followed by a QR Code to Pay at a Shop Till

July 2025

In a July 14, 2025 alert, San Diego Gas & Electric described impostors phoning or texting customers, claiming the bill was overdue, and threatening to cut power or gas within about 30 minutes. Victims were then sent a QR code and told to pay the 'past due balance' at a CVS or Walmart using Green Dot — and told not to mention to the cashier that it was a utility payment. SDG&E says it never calls or texts demanding immediate payment, and does not accept Bitcoin, Zelle, or Green Dot.

How susQR helps The instruction not to tell the cashier is the clearest admission a scam ever makes. susQR can show you what the code really points at, but the stronger protection here is the rule behind it: no utility is paid by a code sent to you, so hang up and call the number on your actual bill.

Source: sdgetoday.com

City of San Diego: Any Meter QR Code That Opens a Payment Page Is Fake

September 2024

After fake QR stickers hit nearly 150 meters in Redondo Beach, the City of San Diego warned drivers that its only legitimate parking meter QR codes lead to the app store to download the Park Smarter app. A code that opens a website asking for card details is a scam. The city advised inspecting meters for stickers, paying by card, Apple Pay, Android Pay, or coins instead, and reporting suspicious stickers to police at 619-531-2000.

How susQR helps San Diego's rule is simple — its only legitimate meter code opens the Park Smarter app download, never a payment form. susQR tells you which one you are looking at in about a second, so you can pay at the meter with a card instead and report the sticker.

Source: nbcsandiego.com

🇺🇸 Latest Nationwide QR Scam Alerts

Federal warnings and research that apply to San Diego as much as anywhere else:

Fake police demanding payment by barcode or QR code

September 28, 2026

Source: oig.ssa.gov

FTCSee a QR code parked somewhere? Don't scan it... yet

September 3, 2026

The 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 2026

ESET'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

📍 San Diego-Specific Safety Tips:
  • Pay for San Diego beach parking using the ParkMobile app or pay stations — not QR stickers.
  • Purchase Comic-Con and event tickets only from official websites.
  • Report fraudulent QR codes to San Diego PD's non-emergency line at (619) 531-2000.

📰 Latest QR Code Scam News — San Diego

Loading the latest San Diego headlines…

🎯 Common QR Code Scams in San Diego

These are the QR code scams most frequently reported in San Diego and similar cities across California:

🅿️ 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 Diego. Check for sticker overlays before scanning.

📧 Corporate Email Quishing

Employees in San Diego 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 Diego 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 Diego cafés, hotels, and public spaces may connect you to attacker-controlled Wi-Fi networks.

Watch · short video How easy it is to swap a restaurant's QR menu Consumer reporter Jeff Rossen shows how quickly a scammer can cover a restaurant's real menu code with a fake one, and why you should look before you scan. Video by Jeff Rossen on Facebook · Watch on Facebook ↗ Plays from Facebook, which may set its own cookies once you press play.

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 Diego

✅ Quick Safety Checklist for San Diego Residents

  1. Scan with susQR first — susQR.com checks any QR code URL against 90+ security vendors for free before you visit it.
  2. Look before you scan — Check if the QR code is a sticker placed over another code, especially at parking meters and restaurants.
  3. Use official apps — For parking, EV charging, and payments, use apps downloaded directly from your app store.
  4. 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.
  5. Verify the URL — After scanning, check that the domain matches the company you expect (e.g., parkmobile.io, not park-m0bile.com).
  6. Report suspicious QR codes — Notify the business, San Diego police, and the FBI's IC3.

🔒 Found a Suspicious QR Code in San Diego?

Don't risk it — scan it with susQR first. Free, instant, no account required.

🚀 Scan a QR Code Now 📚 What Is Quishing?

❓ QR Code Scam FAQ — San Diego

Are QR code scams common in San Diego?

QR code scams are increasing across all major U.S. cities, including San Diego. With quishing up 146% in Q1 2026 nationally and the FTC issuing a fresh parking-meter QR alert in September 2026, San Diego's 1.4 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 Diego?

Report QR code scams to the FBI's IC3, the FTC, and your local San Diego 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 Diego?

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:

San Antonio Texas Dallas Texas Austin Texas San Francisco California Seattle Washington Denver Colorado View All Cities →