FBI Warns of ‘Widespread’ QR Code Scams Cybercriminals Use to Steal Your Money
The FBI is warning people to be careful when scanning QR codes because criminals swap them for malicious codes and steal victims’ information or money.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued a new warning to Americans that they should exercise caution when scanning QR codes with their smartphones because cybercriminals tamper with the codes to steal login and financial information.
A QR code—the square barcode that people can scan with their smartphone cameras—can provide quick and convenient access to a website or to a direct payment to an intended recipient.
Businesses use QR codes to provide contactless access to services, for instance, enabling access to restaurant menu items on a smartphone that can then be conveniently ordered.
However, the FBI said in an initial alert in late January that it discovered that cybercriminals were tampering with both the physical and digital QR codes to swap them for malicious codes that, when scanned, pose a risk to users.
“Unfortunately, they’re relatively widespread,” Stephanie Walker, assistant section chief of the FBI Cyber Division, told ABC News on Feb. 16, with the agency reiterating its call for people to use caution when scanning QR codes.
Criminals use modified malicious QR codes to direct people to malicious sites to steal their data, break into victims’ devices by embedding malware on them, or redirect payments for immediate financial gain.
I posted this here on May 7 and thought it was done "Went to public library to do my census and consistent with the luck I have got the long form. About 70 WOKE questions and questions that are none of their business IMHO as they don't care about real Canadians. I just filled out the number of residents as it is starred and then just kept hitting next until the end. Had a 15 minute timer and it took me 15 minutes. Could leave comments but by then out of time and patience. 🤮"
Imagine my surprise when a census worker showed up at my door yesterday because I hadn't done. She knew I had the long form and had it with her for us to complete and I told her when and where I filled out, even approximate time of day, and she asked for confirmation code so went to work trying to find. When you are rushed naturally can't find so said that I couldn't find. Found as soon as she got back to her car and showed her before she drove off. I can't hate this country enough as I know that because I only ...
