QR Code Scams Lead to Unauthorized Charges, Data Theft

Why it matters locally: Missouri residents are susceptible to these QR code scams, similar to consumers nationwide. The Missouri Attorney General's Office frequently issues warnings about various consumer scams and would likely advise caution regarding unsolicited QR codes.

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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.