As attendees of the Detroit Auto Show encounter QR codes for various purposes, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has re-issued a consumer alert on QR Code Hijacking to help visitors avoid scams.
A QR code is a square matrix barcode that can be scanned using a smartphone, directing users to specific websites or apps. These codes are used for numerous applications, such as replacing paper menus in restaurants and serving as airline boarding passes and event tickets.
QR codes are convenient and inexpensive to create, making them attractive to cybercriminals who generate their own codes for malicious activities. The FBI recently warned that criminals hijack QR codes by placing stickers with their own codes over legitimate ones. Scanning these malicious codes can lead victims to phishing websites where scammers may steal personal or financial information.
"QR codes from a trustworthy source can be helpful, but consumers should watch out for codes that may have been tampered with or those coming from unknown sources, which can be used to access sensitive information or commit fraud," Nessel said. "A QR code in a public place or location can easily be tampered with, especially at large events like the Detroit Auto Show. Do not scan a code if it is on a sticker, looks like it has been replaced, or is covered up."
The Detroit Auto Show runs through January 20 at Huntington Place in Detroit. If you suspect you've fallen victim to QR code fraud, report it to your local FBI field office and the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center. For consumer complaints or if you believe you've been scammed, file a complaint with the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Team:
Consumer Protection Team
P.O. Box 30213
Lansing, MI 48909
517-335-7599
Fax: 517-241-3771
Toll-free: 877-765-8388
Online complaint form