December 25, 2023
QR codes.
We use them for all kinds of things….to access restaurant menus, to board planes, to get into a concert.
But now the Federal Trade Commission is warning – scammers are using them too to steal your personal information.
The FTC says scammers have started to cover up legitimate QR codes on parking meters with QR codes of their own – some find a way to text or email them to you saying you need to scan it to because you have a package and need to schedule a delivery, or you have a problem with your account and you need to scan it to confirm your information, or they say there’s suspicious activity on your account and you need to scan it to change your password.
The problem is once you scan the QR code you’re sent to a spoofed website that looks real – but it isn’t and if you log into that site the scammers will steal any information you enter or that QR code itself could install malware that steals your information before you even realize it.
So how do you protect yourself?
If you see a QR code in an unexpected place, inspect the website URL before you open it. If it looks like a URL you recognize, make sure it’s not spoofed — look for misspellings or a switched letter.
Don’t scan a QR code in an email or text message you weren’t expecting — especially if it urges you to act immediately. If you think the message is legitimate, use a phone number or website you know is real to contact the company.
Protect your phone and accounts. Update your phone’s software to protect against hackers and protect your online accounts with strong passwords and multi-factor authentication.
By the way – the QR code I used at the beginning of this video – goes to my personal website which is filled with all kinds of helpful information on lots of stories you care about.
FTC warns about QR codes HERE
