Key Takeaways
- Getnet is a payments brand often seen on card terminals and QR-code payment flows.
- A QR code can be useful, but it can also hide a bad link, so a quick check matters.
- Safe habit: scan, read the preview link, and only continue if the web address looks right.
- A short Dutch mini-lesson helps with simple “check the code” phrases used in the Netherlands (Europe).
Story & Details
A small slip with a big promise
In December 2025, a simple paper slip shows a clear word in bold: Getnet. Below it sit two purple QR codes, each with a large “G” in the middle. It looks clean. It looks official. It also shows why QR codes feel so easy: one scan, and the next step appears.
What a QR code really does
A Quick Response code is not a payment by itself. It is a shortcut. It carries data that usually leads to a web address or opens a payment action inside an app. That is why QR codes are powerful. That is also why they can be risky. The picture is harmless; the destination may not be.
The simplest safety check that works
A calm habit can stop most trouble:
- Scan the code, but pause before tapping “open.”
- Read the link preview. Look at the full domain, not only the first words.
- If the link is shortened, oddly spelled, or not expected, stop.
- If the page asks for a password, a one-time code, or card details in a strange way, stop.
- If the code is on a sticker that looks placed over another code, stop.
This is not about fear. It is about slowing down for two seconds. QR scams often win by speed and pressure.
Why payment QR codes exist in the first place
Payment QR codes grew fast because they reduce friction. For a merchant, it can be a quick way to start a payment without typing much. For a customer, it can feel like “tap and go,” especially on a phone. In many markets, QR payments are now part of daily life, from restaurants to parking machines.
Under the hood, many QR payments follow shared industry standards for how data is structured, so different systems can read the code in a consistent way. That standardization is good for scale, but it does not remove the need for basic link checks.
A brief Dutch mini-lesson for real-life moments
In the Netherlands (Europe), a short, clear question can be useful when a code is handed over at a counter.
Phrase 1: “Mag ik de QR-code zien?”
Simple use: a polite way to ask to see the code first.
Word-by-word:
Mag = may / can
ik = I
de = the
QR-code = QR code
zien = see
Tone note: polite and normal in shops.
Phrase 2: “Is deze QR-code van jullie?”
Simple use: a direct way to confirm the code belongs to the place.
Word-by-word:
Is = is
deze = this
QR-code = QR code
van = of / from
jullie = you (plural, informal)
Tone note: friendly and common; good for a quick check.
Phrase 3: “Ik scan even, maar ik klik niet meteen.”
Simple use: a calm sentence that matches a safe habit.
Word-by-word:
Ik = I
scan = scan
even = just / for a moment
maar = but
ik = I
klik = click / tap
niet = not
meteen = immediately
Tone note: informal, natural, and clear.
These small lines do two jobs at once: they help language learning, and they support a safety pause.
Conclusions
Getnet on a slip and a bold purple QR code can feel like a smooth path to payment. In December 2025, that speed is normal. The safer version of “normal” is just as simple: scan, read, and only continue when the link looks right. A small pause keeps the convenience and cuts the risk.
Selected References
[1] Getnet (official site): https://www.getnetworld.com/
[2] EMVCo overview of payment QR codes: https://www.emvco.com/emv-technologies/qr-codes/
[3] U.S. Federal Trade Commission consumer alert on QR-code scams: https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/12/scammers-hide-harmful-links-qr-codes-steal-your-information
[4] Federal Bureau of Investigation guidance on QR-code scams (United States (North America)): https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/elpaso/news/fbi-tech-tuesday-building-a-digital-defense-against-qr-code-scams
[5] Europol guide on scam-aware habits (European Union (Europe)): https://www.europol.europa.eu/operations-services-and-innovation/public-awareness-and-prevention-guides/scam-aware-mindset-simple-habits-to-stay-protected
[6] EMVCo webcast on EMV QR codes (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-NOncCi-d4
Appendix
Acquirer A company that helps a merchant accept card or account payments and routes the transaction into the payment system.
Domain The main “name” of a website, such as example.com; it is more important than the page title or logo when checking a link.
Getnet A payments brand that offers services for merchants, including tools connected to payment acceptance and risk controls.
Merchant A business that sells goods or services and accepts payments from customers.
Phishing A trick that tries to make someone share secrets, like passwords or card data, by sending them to a fake message or fake website.
QR Code A square code made of small blocks that can store data so a phone camera can scan it quickly.
Quishing Phishing that uses a QR code to pull someone to a harmful website or action.
Short Link A link that hides the real destination behind a very small web address; it can be used for convenience, but it can also hide risk.
URL The full web address shown by a phone or browser; reading it before opening is a simple safety habit.
My Diary - Leonardo Cardillo 