Charleston, South Carolina — QR codes are ubiquitous these days, appearing on restaurant menus, parking meters, and even holiday shopping bargains, but cybersecurity experts warn that scammers are taking advantage of how quick and simple these codes are to use.
QR codes are designed to make life easier by providing fast access to websites, payment systems, and special offers. James Chatwani, senior security strategist at GuidePoint Security, discussed why such convenience may come at a cost.
“QR codes are a quick and efficient way to either access a website, pay for something, or just simply gain access to, you know, bonuses or a prize and so really QR codes are simply just a convenience factor to get access to information quickly,” Chatwani told reporters.
Scammers are also making phony QR codes and overlaying them over actual ones in public places, such as parking lots, to fool consumers into entering payment information on fraudulent websites.
“In many instances, a lot of these payment pages are spoofed because of a fake QR code,” Chatwani told me. “So essentially, you enter in your payment information into a malicious website, so attackers can steal your payment information.”
Experts believe these frauds are growing more common across the country, so take cautious.
Check the QR code carefully. Make sure there are no stickers or overlays on the original code, and avoid downloading apps from a QR code.
Chatwani went on: “If you’re being asked to download an application from a QR code, that in itself is a red flag and something to be extra careful of and if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is, so making sure you’re just taking an extra level of common sense on if you are clicking on a QR code that it is taking you to the trusted place.”
