You are probably aware of phishing emails and smishing texts that contain a link intended to take you to a fake web site that asks for your personal information in order to conduct identity theft or to install malware that harvests information from your computer or smartphone.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a warning that scammers are now sending unexpected emails and text messages with QR codes that are intended to take you to a fake website or download malware.
Some of the ploys that have been reported to the FTC include:
·
They lie and say they couldn't deliver your
package and you need to contact them to reschedule.
·
They pretend like there’s a problem with your account,
and you need to confirm your information.
·
They lie, saying they noticed suspicious
activity on your account, and you need to change your password.
Like most phishing and smishing schemes, the scammers want
to create a sense of urgency so that you scan the QR code without thinking
about it.
Scammers have also been known to cover over a legitimate QR code such as at a parking lot that takes you to a copycat website where you pay the scammer but not the business that owns the parking lot.
The FTC recommends that you do the following to protect yourself:
·
If you see a QR code in an unexpected place,
inspect the 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 OS to protect against hackers and protect your online accounts
with strong passwords and multi-factor authentication.
Federal Trade Commission:
CBS News:
No comments:
Post a Comment