A Vending Refund QR Code: Check the Link Before Entering Details
A QR code can make a vending support form convenient, but the code itself does not prove who controls the destination. Before entering details about a failed purchase, check that you are contacting the genuine operator through a trusted route.
Check the destination before continuing
Use your phone’s link preview where available and read the website address carefully. The Irish NCSC warns that QR-code phishing can direct people to fake pages designed to collect personal or login information. A familiar logo or professional-looking page is not enough on its own. If a sticker looks newly placed over another notice, pause and ask the venue to verify it.
Find an independent contact route
Use the operator’s known website, an existing service contact or assistance from the venue. Do not rely solely on a phone number displayed on the questionable sticker. Tell the operator the machine location and what you saw. You do not need to prove that a sticker is fraudulent before deciding not to submit information through it.
Share only the information needed
A support request can start with the machine identifier, approximate purchase time, amount and product. Use the operator’s verified process for any further transaction identification. Never disclose an online-banking password, card PIN or one-time security code to obtain a vending refund. Do not post card photographs or banking screenshots publicly.
Make reporting safe for the next customer
Site staff should report suspicious labels to the operator and follow their process for checking and replacing notices. Retain an approved contact route while a QR link is being investigated. If you already entered sensitive details on a suspect page, contact your bank or relevant account provider immediately through its official channel. Keep a record of the destination and time.
Source: supporting primary guidance. For site-specific help, explore our fully managed vending service or contact our team. Related reading: Need a Vending Machine Receipt? What to Check Before You Leave.