Scammers have found a new way to defraud you. They are now trying to obtain your personal information install malware or steal money by hiding harmful links in QR codes.
What is a QR code? It is a two-dimensional barcode created in the mid-1990s by a Japanese company to track vehicles during the manufacturing process. During the COVID-19- pandemic, the QR code grew rapidly in popularity as it offered a touchless way to provide information, such as restaurant menus and product information, as well as pay for items without human contact. To access the information or pay a bill, you can use your cell phone’s camera to scan the code. The code takes you to a website URL where you can pay or access the needed information.
The most common way a scam is performed is by covering a legitimate QR code with a sticker of a fake QR code. Placing fraudulent QR codes on parking meters is a popular way this scam is perpetrated. Restaurant menu QR codes are another place the con artists hit. In person, you can sometimes feel the sticker covering up the original code. Another sign that the QR code may not be legitimate is if it is in an odd place or crooked.
However, these codes can also be sent via text message or email with a reason to scan the code. The reasons include:
When using any QR code, always check the URL before opening the link. Does it end with a “.com” or with something else? For example, well-known organizations will not use a “.me” in their website address. Scammers buy domain names with the letters jumbled, such as “eBya.com” or a name somewhat like a real company’s name to fool viewers, such as “Arnazon.com.” These fake domain names will sometimes come with a fake website that might appear legitimate.
Make sure the website starts with “https” and not just “http.” The “s” means it is secure. Some browsers will warn you that the website is not secure. Pay attention to those warnings.
How payment is required or requested is another warning sign of fake websites. If you’re in doubt, call the company directly.
Other ways to protect yourself are to be sure to keep your phone updated and use strong passwords with multifactor authentication.
If you fall victim to a QR code scam, immediately call the bank, review all your accounts, and change your passwords. With some caution, you can reduce your chances of succumbing to scams and enjoy the benefits of using legitimate QR codes
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Translations of any materials into languages other than English are intended solely as a convenience to the non-English-reading public. We have attempted to provide an accurate translation of the original material in English, but due to the nuances in translating to a foreign language, slight differences may exist.
Las traducciones de cualquier material a idiomas que no sean el inglés son para la conveniencia de aquellos que no leen inglés. Hemos intentado proporcionar una traducción precisa del material original en inglés, pero debido a las diferencias de la traducción a un idioma extranjero, pueden existir ligeras diferencias.
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