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Rossen Reports: How QR codes can steal your information

Rossen Reports: How QR codes can steal your information
Uh yeah, we get so many emails, Facebook messages on social media and so on. I love reading all of your questions to me, especially when you send them by video. As I get to see you. Our loyal viewer, Trisha has *** question. Go for it. Trish. Can you or code be used to steal our information or finances? All right. Thanks for your question, Trisha. Unfortunately, the answer is yes. *** couple of years ago I worked with *** cybersecurity expert to show you how the scan swap out real QR codes for fraudulent ones at restaurants and parking meters, feeding the criminal all of your personal information. Let's show you *** piece of this. Look how easy it is. Watch what Jim does here putting his QR code on the sign over the real one, the credit card number. I'm typing that in, but I'm not gonna say it out loud guys. Sorry, I'm looking at your name. There's your credit card number, read it to me then. Three. What's the expiration date? What's the, what's the security code? Yeah, and these scammers are still up to their old tricks. The better business bureau just putting out *** new warning about QR code. Scams this summer. Aside from putting fake ones over real ones, here are some other ways scammers are using QR codes to try and get your information. They can impersonate utility companies mailing you, you know *** fake utility bill saying they're about to shut off your services. There's *** QR code right there on the bill and they say, hey, scan it to pay. This is why you need to always verify any surprise letters you get in the mail, reach out to your utility company directly to confirm whether the bill is legit or log into your utility account to double check yourself. Another trick is your classic phishing scam, right? You get *** text or an email, maybe it's about *** package delivery. We've shown you they do that or an account you need to log into immediately instead of *** link. The message has *** QR code on it that you're supposed to scan. Don't do that. Just like you wouldn't click *** link in *** text or an email you get. Don't scan *** QR code from an unsolicited message either at Tria. We hope that helps if you have any questions for me. Nothing too big or small. Email me. I read it all ro here's the email address. Rawson responds at hurst.com. All right. Read everything back to you.
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Rossen Reports: How QR codes can steal your information
QR codes are everywhere these days – in advertisements, in restaurants, even in the bills you get in the mail.One of our viewers asked Rossen Reports if QR codes can be used to steal our information. Unfortunately, the answer is yes. If businesses can generate their own QR codes, so can scammers.A couple of years ago, Rossen Reports worked with a cyber security expert to show you how scammers can easily swap out real QR codes for fraudulent ones at restaurants and parking meters, feeding criminals your personal information. Those scammers are still up to their old tricks.Over the summer, the Better Business Bureau put out a new warning about QR code scams. Aside from putting fake QR codes over real ones, here are some other ways scammers are using QR codes to try to get your information.Utility ScamsScammers can impersonate utility companies by mailing fake bills with QR codes, urging you to scan to pay. To prevent this, always verify any surprise letters by contacting your utility company directly or logging into your account.Phishing ScamsBy now you know how phishing scams work. You get a text or an email, supposedly about an urgent issue, with a link inside you’re supposed to click to resolve. Instead of a link, scammers are now using QR codes in phishing messages. Just like you wouldn’t click a link in a text or email you don’t recognize, don’t scan a QR code in an unsolicited message either.Have a question for Jeff Rossen? He’s answering your consumer questions every Friday in the new segment "Rossen Responds." Email your questions to him at RossenResponds@hearst.com. Want bonus content and exclusive deals? Make sure to sign up for our free newsletter at RossenReports.com.

QR codes are everywhere these days – in advertisements, in restaurants, even in the bills you get in the mail.

One of our viewers asked Rossen Reports if QR codes can be used to steal our information. Unfortunately, the answer is yes. If businesses can generate their own QR codes, so can scammers.

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A couple of years ago, Rossen Reports worked with a cyber security expert to show you how scammers can easily swap out real QR codes for fraudulent ones at restaurants and parking meters, feeding criminals your personal information. Those scammers are still up to their old tricks.

Over the summer, the Better Business Bureau put out a new warning about QR code scams. Aside from putting fake QR codes over real ones, here are some other ways scammers are using QR codes to try to get your information.

Utility Scams

Scammers can impersonate utility companies by mailing fake bills with QR codes, urging you to scan to pay. To prevent this, always verify any surprise letters by contacting your utility company directly or logging into your account.

Phishing Scams

By now you know how phishing scams work. You get a text or an email, supposedly about an urgent issue, with a link inside you’re supposed to click to resolve. Instead of a link, scammers are now using QR codes in phishing messages. Just like you wouldn’t click a link in a text or email you don’t recognize, don’t scan a QR code in an unsolicited message either.

Have a question for Jeff Rossen? He’s answering your consumer questions every Friday in the new segment "Rossen Responds." Email your questions to him at RossenResponds@hearst.com. Want bonus content and exclusive deals? Make sure to sign up for our free newsletter at RossenReports.com.