FAQ: What Should I Do When NFC / QR Code Tags are being Vandalized at a Site?

In this article we will share some tips and best practices for the frequently asked question(s):

"What can I do when a property manager has tenants who tear off the NFC QR Code / Tags placed on the common grounds?

What should I do when NFC / QR Code tags are being vandalized (or rendered non-functional) at a property, location or site?

I keep having to replace damaged or missing NFC / QR Codes for a client, what can I do to prevent this?"

NOTE: While this is not a common occurrence we will share an extreme example which can help prepare you to proactively prevent Checkpoint Tour disruption due to missing or damaged checkpoint tags. 

• Case Study
• Best Practices
• Tips

Case Study

Problem #1:  Discreetly placed QR Code stickers at a high school which kept going missing. 

Observation #1: Students were found to be picking the QR Code stickers off. 

Resolution #1: The QR Code stickers were replaced with QR Codes encased in quarter inch thick epoxy and glued to locations. 

Problem / Observation #2:  Students that were unable to remove the QR Codes were found to be "coloring" in the QR Code pixels with a sharpie pen, rendering them unreadable.

Resolution #2:  QR Codes were replaced with both sticker NFC Tags and hardened plastic NFC tags screwed into place.

Problem / Observation #3: Students were found to be pealing off and breaking the NFC tags. 

Best Practices

The proceeding example is an extreme case and most scenarios won't require extreme solutions.

In the vast majority of scenarios we highly recommend that you simply work closely with a property or facility manager's building maintenance team to determine what the best form of tour checkpoints (NFC, QR Code, Virtual) should be for that site based on the general environment.

There are two general solutions to handling missing and or damaged checkpoint tags:

1. Increase the tag mounting strength.

2. Strategically hide the checkpoint tags.

Tips

Increase the tag mounting strength: 

For permanent mounting of NFC tags we suggest peeling off the 3M double-sided tape and apply heavy duty construction adhesive (i.e. Gorilla Glue or Liquid Nails).

NOTE: "Permanent" applications can, and will likely, damage whatever surface they mount to if they need to removed it later.

Some NFC tags have a hole in the middle for a screw or nail. When choosing this option be careful about sizing, warping the tag, or hitting the tag with a hammer since those can break the internal circuitry.

Most NFC tags can be scanned through many thin materials (not metal) and can be read without physically touching the phone to the tag.  This allows you to hide the tag.

Some common areas NFC Tags are hidden are by slipping it in the gap behind a sign, under the edge of a piece of railing, inside of a door jam, or even under the handle of a door (many door handles are hollow cylinders, so the tag can just pops onto the bottom).

Some have found that hiding the tags on the back of signage to be very effective and easy to train  a guard that they need to wave their phone in front of the stairwell sign on each floor or the room number signs, for example.