Beware! QR Code scams are on the rise; Know how they work and how to avoid them
The dark side of any technological advancement is that bad actors will use it for their personal advantage. We are already seeing this happen with artificial intelligence as AI-powered malware is being spotted, as well as a higher number of deepfakes have also surfaced. But the threat that is reaching a highly concerning level has to do with QR code-based scams. These online scams are on the rise and have led many people to fall prey to scammers and they end up losing a fortune. You need to know how a QR Code scam works because that will also help you in avoiding such scams altogether. So, let us take a look.
A 30-year-old Indian Institute of Science professor recently became a victim of a QR code scam. The professor was trying to sell his washing machine on an online portal on August 11, reported Economic Times. He was soon contacted by a potential buyer who was willing to pay the asking price without any bargaining. The buyer then sent a QR code to the professor, asking him to scan it to get the money directly deposited into his bank account. However, as soon as he did, Rs. 63000 was stolen from his account instantly!
QR code scams are when scammers use a fraudulent QR code that is disguised as a legitimate code for payment, and then they fool innocent victims into scanning it on their phones. The code installs malware that steals the personal and financial information of the victim. At this point, the cybercriminal can simply use it to wipe out the account of the victim.
But like all online scams, a little vigilance, and care can protect you from having your money stolen and to avoid your personal information being compromised. So, let us take a look at some of the things we can do to avoid such scams.
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