How scammers use QR codes to steal—and how you can protect yourself

Billion Photos // Shutterstock How scammers use QR codes to steal—and how you can protect yourself With great convenience comes great responsibility. QR codes have opened up a whole new world of ease for consumers and businesses. But as with any new tech, scammers are exploiting the growing market to take advantage of consumers. Uniqode analyzed resources from the FBI and the Federal Trade Commission to compile a list of tips on staying safe when using QR codes in public. QR codes are the now-ubiquitous, black-and-white-patterned squares that can be scanned to access a hyperlink on your phone’s web browser. Now almost annually, the FBI has issued consumer warnings that criminals are leveraging QR codes to steal sensitive information. The rise of QR codes for contactless exchanges during the COVID-19 pandemic made the technology all the more appealing for criminals, according to cybersecurity firm Trellix. More than a third of smartphone users scanned a QR code in 2022, a share expected to rise to 42.6% by 2025, according to data forecaster eMarketer. The public adoption of QR codes and their cost-saving potential for businesses has helped keep them around long after pandemic safety measures faded away. But a little vigilance...