In recent news, EnergyVision, a leading provider of solar panels and charging stations, has temporarily suspended ad hoc payments via QR codes at public charging points due to fraudulent activities involving fake QR stickers. The company, backed by entrepreneur Marc Coucke, made this announcement on their social media pages. They urged customers to only use their charging cards for secure payments and to contact their bank if they have recently paid via a QR code.
Reports indicate that about 100 individuals have been affected by the fraud, with each losing 300 euros. Maarten Michielssens, CEO of EnergyVision, stated that only 5% of their customers use QR codes for payments, with the majority using charging cards. The company has taken action by filing a complaint against the criminals responsible for this illegal activity.
The fraudulent QR codes were placed on charging stations at approximately twenty locations. When individuals scanned the codes, they were directed to a webpage for payment. After making the payment, an error message would appear, but the fraudsters managed to withdraw 300 euros from the victim’s account. Despite the error message, users were able to proceed with the payment, unknowingly falling victim to the scam.
In addition to this issue with fraudulent QR codes, there is also concern about the website linked in some content appearing potentially misleading or unrelated. It is crucial for users to exercise caution when navigating unfamiliar websites and stay informed about potential scams or fraudulent activities.
EnergyVision has assured its customers that it will continue taking measures to ensure secure and reliable payments at its public charging points in the future. They encourage users who have recently used a QR code for payment to contact their bank immediately and report any suspicious transactions or accounts related to this incident.
This incident serves as a reminder that online transactions can be risky and that it is essential to be cautious when making payments online or using unfamiliar websites or applications. Users should always verify the authenticity of any website or application before providing personal or financial information and should never share sensitive information via email or text messages.
In conclusion, EnergyVision has temporarily disabled ad hoc payments via QR codes at public charging points due to fraudulent activities involving fake QR stickers
