QR codes being used to exploit people as reports of scam grow
Reports of QR code-related scams have surged by 700% over the last four years as criminals exploit the ubiquity of the technology. Victims are often tricked into downloading fraudulent apps or entering financial details on malicious sites.
Why it matters
As QR codes become a standard interface for daily transactions, they represent a significant and growing cybersecurity vulnerability for the general public.
Image source, Les Howard Image caption, Les Howard said he became suspicious and tried to delete the scam app
When Les Howard could not find change for parking during a trip to the coast, a quick response (QR) code on the meter seemed to be the answer.
But the next day, the 61-year-old realised he had become the victim of an increasingly common scam as criminals started taking money from his bank account in £60 chunks.
Reports of QR code-related scams have gone up by 700% in the past four years, figures by Report Fraud have revealed.
Experts say criminals are finding different ways to exploit the codes as they become a common part of everyday life.
This could be disguising suspicious links in emails, gaining access to victims' messaging apps or convincing people who are out and about to download fraudulent apps to steal their money and data.
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