QR Code Scams
September 3, 2024
QR codes continue to gain popularity year after year because they offer a quick and convenient way for consumers to interact with businesses and organizations. For example, during the peak of COVID, it was common to visit a restaurant and scan a QR code to see the menu, and that practice continues to carry on in many restaurants today. Unfortunately, scammers and other bad actors also use QR codes to steal personal information from consumers, set up fraudulent payment portals, and infect devices with viruses or malware, etc. Read on to learn about the most common ways scammers use QR codes and how you can avoid QR scams.
Popular QR Code Scams
- Parking meter payment scams – A scammer may cover up an actual QR code on the meter with a fraudulent one or place a code where a driver would expect to find one.
- Cryptocurrency scams – It is not uncommon for a legitimate cryptocurrency business to direct investors to a digital wallet by scanning a QR code. Always be sure you are dealing with a real business before proceeding.
- Phishing scams – If you receive an email notifying you of suspicious activity on an account and you are asked to scan a QR code to verify your identity, it is likely a scam.
- Government and utility company scams – Scammers often send emails and physical letters to consumers claiming to be from a government organization or utility company. If they ask you to scan a QR code to provide more information, it is probably a scam.
How to Avoid QR Code Scams
- Confirm before scanning – If you receive a letter in the mail from a government organization requesting that you scan a QR code, find a customer service phone number on their website first and contact the organization to ask if the letter and QR code are legitimate.
- Do not open links you receive from strangers – If you receive an unsolicited QR code from someone you do not know, do not scan it.
- Look out for short links – It is not uncommon for a QR code to contain a short link. If you choose to scan it and visit the website, closely read the URL to check for misspelled words and to make sure you are directed to the website you expected to be sent.
- Look for tampering – If a QR code is posted in a public area, examine it closely to make sure it is not a fraudulent code covering up a legitimate code.