Rockford BBB Warns Of Phony QR Code Scams: Here’s How To Tell

Like many people, I'm not clueless and lost when it comes to technology, but I'm also a long way away from being an expert. One of my favorite things about being a parent is asking for tech help and receiving it from one of my kids...who know so much more about nearly everything in the digital world than I do.

Which is why I'm kind of peeved with the kids right now.

Not once did either one of them warn me that the simple-to-scan QR codes that we see everywhere might not be as useful and benevolent as I may have thought. Nope, they just left that part out, and I had to find out from the Rockford Regional Office of the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

Before you scan the next QR code, we've got some things you should know about them.

QR Codes Are In That Category Of "Things We Got Into During The Pandemic"

The popularity of these handy, scan-able jumbles of black and white pixels really got going when people discovered they were very useful for scanning menus or bills, and sharing things on social media.

QR codes make some things quicker and easier.

Unfortunately, QR codes have also shown themselves to be very useful to the bad actors out there, the scam artists who are always looking for a way to get their hands into your pocket or purse.

QR codes have made it quicker and easier for them, too. And, a lot of people are finding that out the hard way.

Other Than Being A "Jumble Of Black And White Pixels," How Much Do You Actually Know About QR Codes?

We can start with the name. QR code stands for "quick response," and was invented back in 1994 by a Japanese engineer who found himself inspired by a board game. A subsidiary of Toyota shared the QR code specs with the world so that anyone could use it.

QR codes first became popular in Japan in the early 2000s, then skyrocketed in popularity in Europe in the 2010s. Here in America, we started getting into QR codes in 2020 when the pandemic rolled in and changed all sorts of things.

Some other notes about QR codes:

• Each one is unique due to the way the information is stored and shared, so every pattern is different.
• QR codes can be "brand-customized" and linked to custom web pages.
• QR codes can store a large amount of data, including up to 4,000 characters of text, website URLs, phone numbers, etc.
• Other uses include opening webpages, checking people in to an event, providing special offers, product tracking, app downloads, account authentication, sending and/or receiving payments with secure transactions, and accessing Wi-Fi.

They can also be used by scammers.

For All Of The Positives, QR Codes Have A Really Big Negative: You Don't Know Where The QR Code Will Take You Or What It Will Do Until After You've Scanned One

That's why the Rockford Regional Office of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning people to be careful when it comes to QR codes and the scammers who may be using them to trick you.

There are several ways a scammer can take advantage of you using QR codes. One simple way is to dump a virus or malware into your computer the moment you scan one. You'll probably have no idea it has happened until it's too late.

Scammers are also sticking QR code stickers on parking meters or parking payment terminals. They hope you'll think you can use the QR code to pay for your parking, but what you're actually doing is letting them into your phone and its private places.

According to a report at WGNTV.com, scammers also use the QR codes to impersonate utility companies or government agencies:

The QR codes are tricky because you can’t tell where you’ll be taken until after you scan. So sometimes, victims will receive communications that look like they’re from a utility, for example, and be prompted to pay their bill by scanning the code – only the code takes them to an imposter site.

Here's more on how to spot fake QR codes and avoid them: