QR Code Scams Lead to Unauthorized Charges, Data Theft

Why it matters locally: Nevada residents, like consumers nationwide, are susceptible to QR code scams that can result in unauthorized financial transactions and data theft. Law enforcement agencies such as the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and the Reno Police Department Public Safety Dispatch would likely handle reports of such cybercrimes.

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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.