EnergyVision, a leading energy company known for its solar panels and charging stations, has temporarily disabled ad hoc payments via QR codes at public charging points due to fraudulent activities involving fake QR stickers. The company, which counts entrepreneur Marc Coucke as an investor, made this announcement on social media. They advised 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 suggest that around one hundred individuals have been affected by the fraud, with each losing 300 euros. Maarten Michielssens, the CEO of EnergyVision, stated that only 5 percent 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 fraudsters responsible for this criminal 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 the issue with fraudulent QR codes, there are concerns about potential misleading information provided on some websites associated with EnergyVision’s services. It is important for users to exercise caution when navigating unfamiliar websites and stay informed about potential scams or fraudulent activities.
EnergyVision is committed to providing safe and secure payment options for its customers and will continue to take measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
The company has urged its customers who have recently paid via a QR code to contact their bank immediately and report any unauthorized transactions related to this incident.
