Scammers Are Targeting New Yorkers With Sneaky QR Codes
Scammers gonna scam, right? Another day, another scam to be aware of. I swear that scammers will put more effort into grifting and stealing than just getting a job and making an honest living. There is a new scam that hardworking New Yorkers should be aware of.
Per the Federal Trade Commission, Americans reported losses of $12.5 billion due to fraud in 2024. It is a 25 percent increase from the previous year. That either means scammers are getting better or we are getting more gullible.
"According to the FTC’s data book, this number is not driven by an increase in fraud reports, which remained stable. Instead, the percentage of people who reported losing money to a fraud or scam increased by double digits. In 2023, 27% of people who reported a fraud said they lost money, while in 2024, that figure jumped to 38%."
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What Is Quishing?
According to reports, 'Quishing' scams have taken millions of dollars from Americans. CNBC reports that nearly 75 percent of Americans scan QR codes without verifying the code. Over 26 million Americans have been directed to malicious sites by scanning a QR code. In New York City, the Department of Transportation issued a warning about scammers placing fake QR codes on parking meters for payments. It's actually a genius scam. QR codes are everywhere, and who really thinks about the risk of scanning one?
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Earlier this year, the FTC warned New Yorkers about unexpected packages showing up with QR codes to scan. The way the scam works is that a surprise package shows up. You are provided with a QR code to scan in order to find out who sent the package and how to return it. The only thing is, it's all a scam.
"If you scan the QR code, it could take you to a phishing website that steals your personal information, like credit card numbers or usernames and passwords. It could also download malware onto your phone and give hackers access to your device."
The moral of the story is not to scan random QR codes. Make sure it's from a trusted source before you scan.
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