- Joined
- Nov 1, 2022
- Messages
- 57 (0.06/day)
To start in Troy McClure style, you may remember me from the Why won't my QR code work saga. I'm back to remind you that we should warn our (grand) parents, aunts, and uncles not to scan just any QR code out there. Last month, I read about yet another quishing case, and this elderly man said: "The sign said to use the code to park, and I hadn't ever heard of QR codes being used as a scam." This got me worried. So yesterday we had a small family gathering, and I asked a couple of older family members if they knew they could get scammed by scanning a QR code. If you think there's a need, you could do the same. Here is the freshest text I was able to find about safe vs. malicious QR codes, plus I copied some general pointers from here and there:
Basically, what looks like an obvious scam to me for one reason or another, seems like a legit code ready to be scanned to Uncle Pete. Just remember that. Cheers!
- Do not scan a code if it is on a sticker, looks like it has been replaced, or is covered up.
- After scanning the code, see if the URL you are taken to is a secure one that begins with “https.”
- If a QR Code requires you to download a scanning app, it might be a scam, as these third-party apps ask for permissions unrelated to scanning a QR Code. If your phone camera does not support QR scanning natively, research/ask someone you trust for advice on how to choose a safe third-party app.
- Generic design and website missing branding with grammatical errors, typos, a time limit to put in your details, or other scare tactics
- Sent from fake, misspelled email addresses, usually without a business domain
Basically, what looks like an obvious scam to me for one reason or another, seems like a legit code ready to be scanned to Uncle Pete. Just remember that. Cheers!
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