FTC Warns of QR Code Scams and Malware Threats

The increasing use of QR codes has led to an increase in thieves embedding harmful links into the codes, posing a risk to users' personal information and money. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns that fraudsters are covering up legitimate QR codes with their own or sending texts and emails with fake QR codes. These fake codes can lead users to spoofed sites where their information can be stolen or malware can be installed. To protect yourself, carefully check the URL before scanning a QR code, avoid scanning codes in unexpected messages, update your phone's operating system, and use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication for online accounts.