Target Audience:
General Public,Online Shoppers,Small Businesses
Description:
Criminals place malicious QR codes in public places or send them via email/text. When scanned, these codes direct victims to convincing but fraudulent websites that steal login credentials, financial information, or install malware on devices.
Prevention Tips:
Inspect QR codes before scanning, use a QR scanner app that previews the URL before visiting, never enter personal information on sites accessed via QR codes without verifying legitimacy, and keep your device’s operating system updated.
Warning Signs:
Unexpected QR codes in emails or public places, codes that lead to sites requesting personal or financial information, shortened URLs that hide the actual destination, and poor website design or misspelled domains.