What you need to know about QR code scams and how to stay safe

Canva What you need to know about QR code scams and how to stay safe QR codes skyrocketed in popularity during the touch-free days of the COVID-19 pandemic, and now they’re everywhere. From menus to forms and posters, who doesn’t like these scannable shortcuts to information and fast, frictionless payments? Now QR codes also serve a much different purpose: as a tool for scammers. In December 2023, the Federal Trade Commission warned of a new form of phishing. Appropriately coined quishing, the scam leverages QR codes to trick people into divulging personal information. Online, scammers send emails containing QR codes that store URLs to malicious websites that appear legitimate under the guise of package tracking emails or by impersonating known senders like human resources representatives or CEOs. During the third quarter of 2023, the cybersecurity platform Trellix detected over 60,000 QR code scam attempts in emails alone. Offline, fraudsters replace legitimate QR codes with fake ones on common locations such as parking meters, menus, or posters. Once scanned, links stored within the QR code may automatically download malware, open payment websites, or bait users into providing their personal information or logins. When bad actors access sensitive data, they can overtake...