QR Code Payments
Secure QR-code-initiated payments with adaptive MFA and passkeys, preventing manipulated codes from completing fraudulent transactions.
The challenge
QR code payments are convenient but can be exploited through code substitution, phishing overlays or manipulated payloads that redirect funds to an attacker. Without a verification step tied to the actual payer, a scanned code alone is not sufficient assurance that the transaction is legitimate and authorised by the account holder.
Key capabilities in this use case
Payment confirmation step-up
Require passkey, biometric or push approval before a QR-initiated payment is finalised.
Anomaly-based challenge
Apply stronger verification when a QR payment amount or destination looks unusual for the account.
Merchant integration
Embed verification into merchant apps and payment flows without changing the underlying QR standard.
Unified authentication experience
Combine QR payment verification with the same passkey and MFA stack used elsewhere in the app.
Core capabilities
Transaction-linked step-up
Ties verification to the specific payment being made.
Rules-based risk triggers
Flags unusual amounts or destinations for extra checks.
Passkey and biometric approval
Fast, phishing-resistant confirmation method.
Merchant app integration
Fits into existing merchant payment applications.
Preventing a manipulated QR payment
A customer at a market scans what appears to be a merchant's payment QR code, but the code has been tampered with to redirect funds to a different account. Because the payment app has Authsignal integrated, the transaction triggers a confirmation step showing the actual payee before the customer approves it with a passkey or biometric prompt. Noticing the payee name does not match the merchant, the customer cancels the transaction rather than approving it blind. The payment provider logs the near-miss and can use it to flag the tampered code for other users.
- 1QR code scanned to initiate payment
- 2Payee and amount shown for confirmation before approval
- 3Passkey or biometric approval required to complete payment
Expected outcomes
- Reduced fraud from manipulated or substituted QR codes
- Clearer payee confirmation before funds move
- Consistent authentication experience across payment methods
- Faster detection of fraudulent QR codes in circulation
How CyberLane helps
CyberLane works with payment and product teams to identify where QR payment flows lack a verification step, and advises on integrating Authsignal's confirmation and step-up controls into merchant and consumer apps.
- QR payment flow risk review
- Step-up verification design
- Merchant app integration guidance
- Fraud pattern monitoring recommendations
CyberLane is independent and works on the decision rather than the deployment. Product-specific delivery is coordinated with the vendor or a qualified implementation partner.
Official vendor sources
Content is paraphrased independently by CyberLane from Authsignal's public use-case pages for evaluation purposes; it is not an Authsignal publication.
Evaluating Authsignal for QR Code Payments?
We start with an independent conversation about where your exposure actually sits, before any technology decision is made.