The Better Business Bureau alerts consumers to a surge in counterfeit QR codes placed over legitimate ones, posing significant risks at parking meters, transport, and parcels, urging caution and verification.
The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers to look twice before scanning any QR code, after scammers were found placing counterfeit stickers over legitimate codes at parking meters, in public transport areas and even on unexpected parcels. The fake codes can send people to payment pages or phishing sites designed to steal card details or other personal information, according to the bureau and ABC7 Chicago.
The bureau says the safest approach is to pay directly through the parking meter or official app where possible, and to check for signs that a code has been tampered with, such as peeling edges, tape or a sticker layered over another label. It also advises people not to scan codes sent in unsolicited texts or emails or found in places where they are not expecting them.
The warning fits a broader pattern the BBB has tracked in which QR codes are being used in multiple scams, including fraudulent payment portals, malware downloads and so-called brushing schemes involving mystery packages. The bureau has said consumers should verify the source before scanning and treat any unexpected code as suspicious, especially if it appears in a location where a legitimate payment or service code would normally be fixed in place.
Disclaimer: This article is intended to inform and educate, not to recommend or endorse any financial product, investment or strategy. Please consider your own financial circumstances and seek professional advice where appropriate before making financial decisions.
