(CHICAGO) — The Better Business Bureau is urging the public to stay on high alert for the latest scammer scheme: fake QR codes.
“Producing fraudulent QR codes has never been easier for scammers,” says Steve J. Bernas, BBB president and CEO. “They will often tape them over legitimate QR codes or send them out in what appears to be an urgent threatening message or perhaps an amazing deal.”
Because these codes can’t be read by the human eye, they are becoming a favorite tool of fraudsters designed to trap their targets into signing into a malicious link or fake website designed to steal your money or your personal identity.
Consumers are reporting some of the common places that they encounter fake QR codes include Parking Meters & Public Transit. “Scammers stick fake QR decals directly on top of real payment codes,” notes Bernas. “The link leads to a counterfeit payment site that steals your credit card digits.”
Also be on the outlook for mysterious packages that may arrive. “Often those boxes contain QR codes designed to get you to scan as you try to figure out the origin or what’s in the package,” says Bernas.
People may see fake QR codes promoting a big concert or event. They can be attached to anything ranging from traffic signal lights to signposts or windows, especially when a store is empty or has been vacated.
Bernas adds, “Beware of strangers asking you to donate to a charity. Not only can handing over your phone be dangerous with a scammer, taking far more money out of your account than you agreed to, but they can ask you to scan a QR code to donate an amount of money like $20. Later you end up finding out far more was taken and you may have lost valuable personal identity.”
Never scan codes from strangers, unsolicited emails, texts, or pop-up ads and watch out for anything with a code attached that looks like it may have been tampered with.
It’s important for consumers to develop a routine where they make sure that a fake QR code hasn’t been taped over a legitimate one.
