QR codes are widely used for a variety of functions such as looking at a menu in a restaurant, entering a concert or sporting event, or as a way to easily go to a website.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently sent out a warning
about using QR codes in paid parking lots. QR codes have become popular with parking
vendors. All they have to do is to put up a sign, they don’t have to maintain a
pay machine. The problem is that the FTC has had reports of scammers placing
their own QR codes over the parking vendors QR codes redirecting the customer
to a fake website where the scammer can steal their money and/or their personal
information.
To protect yourself closely inspect the sign with the QR code for
tampering. Scan the code then inspect it closely for spelling mistakes or
switched letters before clicking. If you have time, do a web search of the
parking lot company on your phone then pay from their website.
Also, if the QR code is intended to download an app to your phone, do
not do it! Only download apps through your phone’s app store.
And this assumes that you use strong passwords and multi-factor
authentication and that you regularly update your phones operating system.
Being a little bit careful when using any QR code should help you
avoid being victimized by a scammer.
Federal Trade Commission:
https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/09/see-qr-code-parked-somewhere-dont-scan-ityet
AARP:
https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/qr-codes/
FBI:
https://www.ic3.gov/PSA/2022/PSA220118
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