In depth
Payment QR codes: what you can and cannot do
Payment links vs bank-issued payment codes, and how to stop fraudsters swapping your code.
Two different things
| Code for a payment link | Bank payment QR | |
|---|---|---|
| Created by | You, from a payment link | The bank or payment scheme |
| Contains | Address of a payment page | Payment details in the scheme’s format |
| Where to make it | In this generator | In your banking app or portal |
This generator is for payment links: PayPal.Me, Stripe Payment Links, an online invoice or your own checkout. Bank-standard payment codes should come from your bank.
Good uses
- Paying for a delivered order.
- Deposits for bookings, workshops and appointments.
- Invoices for small businesses without a till.
- Donations on a charity page.
Customers see the address after scanning. A recognisable domain — yours or the payment provider’s — builds trust.
Protection from swaps
The most common fraud is a sticker placed over your code. Check signs regularly, print the code directly onto the material rather than as a separate sticker, and show the payee name next to it.