PSA, Protecting yourself from QR code scams

[kenny]

Besides never having loaded a single app to my phone, I've also never scanned a QR code.
I don't need 'em enough to risk possible harm resulting from today's ubiquitous "Quicker and Easier" mentality.
Every time I've been tempted to scan a QR code, I have been able to do whatever the QR code does with a phone call or my desktop puter to go to their website.

I know I'm weird.
I also get off my fat @ss to manually open my garage door, had wash all dishes and pots, and use a bucket to catch the 2.5 gallons of water that would go to waste (waiting for the hot water to arrive from our detached garage's water heater) and bring the bucket to the bathroom to flush the toilet.

Call me Frank because ... I do things, Myyyy Way then brag shamelessly about it when I see examples of apps and QR codes victimizing folks.

Enough virtue signaling Kenny , below is a way to protect yourself if you do scan QR codes:

From Uncle Sam:

Scammers hide harmful links in QR codes to steal your information

QR codes seem to be everywhere. You may have scanned one to see the menu at a restaurant or pay for public parking. And you may have used one on your phone to get into a concert or sporting event, or to board a flight. There are countless other ways to use them, which explains their popularity...

consumer.ftc.gov

From the Better Business Bureau:

BBB Scam Alert: Fraudulent QR codes continue to be used in a variety of scams

Reports to Better Business Bureau and government agencies detail the various ways scammers are using QR codes to perpetrate fraud. Learn more about how scammers are using QR codes and when to avoid scanning one with these tips from your BBB.

www.bbb.org

 

[dk168]

I am careful with QR Codes, after knowing how easily one can be generated, and how easily they could be replaced in public places like car parks.

I have most of the parking apps on my phone that cover majority of the car parks in UK. This way, I don't have to use the QR codes on display at car parks.

If I have no choice except to use the public QR codes, I would do the scratch test first.

DK

 

[Karl_K]

it is shut off on my phone and have never felt the need to turn it back on.

 

[finerthings]

Thanks @kenny, another piece of good advice you are sharing with us!

 

[kenny]

 

[Ibrakeforpossums]

My job in healthcare requires me to have an app for two-step authentication. I could not log in to Epic without it. Otherwise I woud never pick up that miserable Android.