QR Code Scams Lead to Unauthorized Charges, Data Theft

Why it matters locally: Tennessee consumers should be aware of the increasing threat of QR code scams, as these incidents can lead to unauthorized charges and data theft, impacting personal finances across the state.

Scammers have increasingly utilized QR codes to compromise personal accounts and steal data, according to recent reports. These incidents often involve consumers scanning a QR code and subsequently downloading an application, which then facilitates unauthorized financial transactions. Les Howard, a consumer affected by this scam, reported a monthly subscription of £60 charged to his account. This charge began after he downloaded an application that originated from scanning a QR code.