QR Code Scams Lead to Unauthorized Charges, Data Theft

Why it matters locally: Virginia residents are advised to exercise caution when scanning QR codes due to the increasing national trend of scams leading to unauthorized financial charges and data theft. Consumers in Virginia, like those nationwide, could be vulnerable to these fraudulent schemes.

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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.