Most people enjoy a mystery when it’s a novel, but this latest mystery is one that no one will enjoy except the perpetrator. Lately, it seems everywhere we turn, there is a new QR code. This article discusses the latest scam plot to separate you from your hard-earned money. Here’s the scenario:
You check your mail and receive an unexpected ring. The ring is quite lovely, and you like it. The brochure invites you to use the enclosed QR code to learn more about the gem. Allegedly, the QR code will tell you the ring's value and history, and perhaps even a special gift or discount on a matching necklace and earrings. Sounds too good to be true, right?
Be wary, my friends; if it sounds too good to be true, it is probably another scam. They only want to ‘harvest’ your information and personal accounts. If you click this QR code, you just allowed someone else into your phone. Here, they can see everything that you do. Who you call, where you bank, and more. In a matter of minutes, they can drain your bank account.
Digital Deception
In the age of digital convenience, scams have become increasingly sophisticated, blending seamlessly into our daily lives. More and more products are utilizing QR codes. QR codes take you directly to a website where you can do more shopping or learn more about something.
Today’s smartphones are quite adept at using your smartphone camera to take advantage of you. Keep in mind that each scheme is slightly different. Hackers and those who come up with these schemes always come up with new and improved ways to separate you from your hard-earned money.
There are entire groups of people who work on these daily, just as many of us work regular jobs. Picture a call center where several people are working in cubicles side by side and making calls. This is similar to how scammers do things. They may even work from home.
Under the guise of learning more about your newly acquired ring, the website retrieves as much information about you as possible. This includes:
Passwords
User names
Account details (including account numbers)
Contact list
and more!
Another concerning development is Malware. Many links lock up your system and install malware on your electronic devices. The Malware can track your every move. By monitoring where you’re at and what you’re doing, it can track you until they know enough about you to impersonate you.
Bank account information is delicate, and malware can track every code you’ve ever used with your bank cards, not to mention account numbers, nicknames, and balances. They can even detect when you’re about to be paid, interrupt that payment, and direct it to their own accounts.
How To Protect Yourself
If you receive an unsolicited package, be skeptical, especially if it attempts to lure you to scan a QR code. Verify the sender’s identity through other means before clicking on QR codes or opening links.
Verify the source. Ensure that the originating source is from a trusted and verified source. If you didn’t order the item, chances are pretty high that it’s a phishing scam.
Find a number for the company using the Better Business Bureau or your favorite search engine. If the company name isn’t turning up, there’s a very high chance that it’s a scam.
Use security software to protect your laptop, tablet, and phone. Keep the antivirus updated to help detect and block any malicious malware, links, QR codes, and downloads.
If you order things online, keep track of what you order. Once you've completed your order, remove your payment methods from your device.
Don’t give out personal information except when absolutely necessary, and make sure that the company is legitimate when you give out personal information.
Monitor all of your accounts and check statements on all of your accounts each month. If you’re expecting a payroll deposit or other deposit, watch for it and ensure it has safely arrived. If it doesn’t arrive, contact your company's and your bank's right department to try to locate it.
Report any concerns promptly to your bank. You may have to file a police report as well. Many banks and financial institutions can help you to mitigate any potential damages.
We all love to receive unexpected gifts. Just be mindful of where they come from. Don’t click on QR codes that come with your unexpected gift unless you’ve verified the source.
You can protect yourself and your family from these sophisticated threats by staying vigilant and cautious. Have you ever been the victim of this kind of phishing game? If so, how long did it take to get it straightened out?
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