Scammers are using your QR codes to steal your personal data, FTC warns

Scammers are utilizing QR codes to steal personal information, according to a new consumer advisory from the Federal Trade Commission.

As QR codes’ popularity has grown, so have the scams that surround them.

According to the FTC, these fraudster codes might direct you to a counterfeit website designed to steal your information or install malware.

Covering QR codes on parking meters with a harmful QR code is one of the scams.

According to the FTC, there have also been allegations of scammers sending QR codes via text messages or emails.

They may try to trick you into scanning by claiming that there is a problem with an account that has to be resolved or that you need to reschedule the arrival of a shipment.

To begin, if you come across a QR code in an unexpected location, make sure to verify the URL before opening it. Don’t scan QR codes in unexpected texts or emails.

Also, keep your phone and accounts secure by keeping your systems up to date, employing strong passwords, and enabling multi-factor authentication.

The FTC reported earlier this year that from 2015 to 2022, there was a more than 500% rise in complaints about fraudulent texts.

According to an FTC assessment released in October, social media fraud cost Americans $2.7 billion between January 2021 and June 2023.