| QR codes, those black-and-white squares you can scan with your phone, seem to be everywhere these days. While scanning them is convenient and makes reaching a website hassle-free, it can also be risky. Here’s what you need to know about QR code scams. |
| How It Works• You might encounter a QR code to pay for parking, browse a menu or learn more from a flyer.•You may receive a text or email with a QR code to address an issue with an account.•You may also receive a letter in the mail that offers a QR code to access discounts, offer loan forgiveness or request payment. |
| What You Should Know• While QR codes from trusted sources, like a business’s official website or reputable magazine articles, are generally safe, not all QR codes are.•Criminals can easily create fake QR codes and place them in public areas, leading you to spoofed sites where you are prompted to share personal information, including login credentials and forms of payment.•Since QR codes displayed on your phone serve as admission to live events, criminals may also sell you fake sports or concert tickets. |
| What You Should Do• Before scanning a QR code in public, make sure it doesn’t appear tampered with—whether a sticker has been placed on top of the original code or you can detect other sorts of manipulation.•Before clicking on the web address the QR code is associated with, preview and carefully inspect it, looking for any misspellings, a switched letter or a shortened version of the web address.•Avoid scanning QR codes from unexpected messages, especially if they pressure you to act quickly.•Be especially wary of QR codes that come via email or text, since the point of a QR code is to link you to a website when you’re not otherwise online.•If you’re unsure if something is legitimate, contact the company directly using a verified phone number or website.•Protect your phone and accounts by keeping your device’s operating system up to date and using strong passwords and multifactor authentication when available. |
reprinted from AARP Fraud Watch Network