Brits are being warned to stay alert against fraudsters amid a rise in QR code scams.
International Fraud Awareness Week is next week and experts have revealed five easy steps people can follow to try and prevent themselves becoming the victims of fraud. QR codes are easy to follow and are used by all kinds of business, but some scammers have used them to defraud people with a scheme known as “quishing”.
Fraud experts at Lynx laid bare some of the concerns about QR code scams and how Brits can keep themselves safe. “QR code scams, also known as “quishing”, are a type of cybercrime that involves tricking people into scanning a fake QR code to reveal sensitive information,” Lynx said.
(Image: Getty Images/Image Source)
“Scammers may place these fake QR codes in public places, such as parking meters, restaurants, or package delivery notifications. Hackers then redirect scans of these codes to fraudulent websites and malicious applications, or carry out phishing attacks.”
Check the URL
Check the URL when you use any QR code. It should match the website you expect to be connected to. Some URL codes could be similar to what you expect, but a small difference could reveal that they are dodgy.
Software safety
You can install new anti-virus software to help you verify the original QR codes and make sure there are no malicious links. If there are, you could risk harmful malware being downloaded onto your device.
Inspecting QR codes
Some QR coles may have been manipulated. Scammers have been known to put their own QR codes on a poster in public to trick people into parting with their cash. Some QR codes may also not appear quite right and you should be suspicious of them if you think something looks off.
Don’t scan codes straight away
If you are unsure of the source of the code, don’t scan it. Lynx said: “Be wary of codes sent via unfamiliar emails, texts, or websites, as these can often be part of phishing scams designed to steal information.”
Use official sources
Check to see where the QR code is supposedly from and if it is coming from a reputable source. Lynx said to use “trusted apps and payments sources over websites where possible”.
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