FBI issues new warning about QR code scams

now to a new warning from the FBI about QR code scams the agency says in last year there have been about 150 million dollars of reported losses involving fraudulent QR codes Eva Pilgrim is here with details for us good morning Eva good morning Robin you see them everywhere these days all you have to do is open your phone's camera point it at the code and you're able to go directly to a website it takes seconds most of them are fine but this morning a warning scammers now using QR codes to to steal your personal information and money look comes right off Erica Pender of Atlanta noticed something was off in her local parking garage it was like extra shiny um like it had been like recently laminated I could see like it wasn't really a part of like the fancy signs they have out there and I was able to just peel it right off scammers putting fake QR codes over the real ones hoping to trick parking garage customers into transferring them money they're moving fast you'll have to be careful be alert be aware and the FBI says Erica is not alone where are we seeing these QR scams happening unfortunately they're relatively widespread they are happening in parking lots they're happening in areas where you may anticipate this is a legitimate QR code and I'll scan it but somebody has altered it fake QR codes aren't just misdirecting your payment in garages like this one the FBI telling us thieves often use QR codes to take your money and steal other important personal information what happens when you scan a QR code that isn't the one you're supposed to be scanning it can give the criminal access to your phone which then allows them access to any apps that you normally use it can also drop some sort of computer intrusion type of software that can alter your phone and steal credentials and that sort of thing the owners of the garage where Erica found the QR code tell us the safety of our customers is our top priority we updated the QR codes with our branding and any evidence of fake QR codes is reported to our local police immediately so the takeaway if something doesn't look quite right the QR code the website it sends you to do not enter your personal information and if you think you've been scammed the FBI telling us that it's really important for you to report it what else can we do so there are some software applications that you can put on your phone that will scan it to when you go to these websites to make sure that they're safe but the big thing pay attention we're all in a hurry look at those QR codes look at the website make sure that they look legit yeah good advice there all right Eva thank you so much hi everyone George Stephanopoulos here thanks for checking out the ABC News YouTube channel if you'd like to get more videos show highlights and watch live event coverage click on the right over here to subscribe to our Channel and don't forget to download the ABC News app for breaking news alerts thanks for watching

Channel: ABC News

Views: 596,928

Keywords: News, p_cmsid=2494279, p_vid=news-107255751, scam, qr code, FBI, warning, tech, thieves, customers, information, data, ABC News, GMA

Id: DU_y85NlSeY

Length: 3min 2sec (182 seconds)

Published: Thu Feb 15 2024