(AmericanProsperity.com) – Unsuspecting citizens are falling victim to Chinese hackers who have already stolen $75 billion from Americans via QR code scams.
At least 10% of all QR codes found on restaurant tables, parking meters, and even in unexpected packages are fraudulent.
Often orchestrated by foreign entities, these attacks are designed to steal financial information with just one scan.
QR codes ranging from restaurant menus to parking payments have become unavoidable in everyday life.
However, this convenience comes with a serious risk. Fraud investigators have discovered that nearly one in ten QR codes are actually sophisticated scams designed to drain bank accounts.
The International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators calls these “quishing scams,” and they have been multiplying since 2022.
Scammers place fake QR codes over legitimate ones on parking meters, restaurant tables, bulletin boards, and businesses across America.
When scanned, these codes can steal payment information or install malware that grants criminals complete access to smartphones.
What makes these attacks particularly dangerous is their invisible nature. Unlike suspicious emails or texts that might trigger your warning signals, QR codes reveal nothing about their destination until after they have been scanned.
The scams often create false urgency, claiming a package delivery has issues or that an account needs immediate verification.
“It’s one thing when they steal your credit card. It’s completely different when they get access to your debit card through your phone. There’s no way of recovering that,” said LexisNexis Risk Solutions government CEO Haywood Talcove.
“I wouldn’t scan a QR code because it’s impossible to tell good from bad and you don’t know until it’s too late. My entire life is on my phone. I’d rather lose my wallet,” Talcove added
These scams have direct ties to foreign adversaries. According to investigators, Chinese criminals initiated “brushing” scams in 2015 that have now evolved into sophisticated attacks.
The scammers are getting more advanced with artificial intelligence tools that can create authentic-looking messages and convincing fake websites.
A newer variation involves sending unsolicited packages containing QR codes to American homes.
This tactic has been flagged by both the Better Business Bureau and U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
These packages often look legitimate but contain QR codes that lead to harmful websites designed to steal information.
Experts advise never scanning QR codes from unexpected sources, always verifying the URL before entering any personal information, and considering using a QR scanner app that checks for malicious content.
Additionally, they suggest keeping phones’ operating systems updated and securing accounts with strong passwords and multi-factor authentication.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service recommends monitoring finances closely and changing passwords if unexpected packages arrive.
Most importantly, experts advise against storing payment information on smartphones, which creates a single point of failure that criminals can exploit.
Any suspicious QR codes should be reported to local authorities and the businesses where they were found.
As these attacks continue to grow in sophistication, Americans must take personal responsibility for their digital security.
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