Written by: Mary Johnson
A rise in scams involving fraudulent QR codes has been attributed to organised crime gangs, according to experts. The national fraud reporting centre Action Fraud reported a substantial increase in incidents in 2020, with 1,386 cases compared to only 100 in 2019. Criminals are targeting contactless payment systems like parking meters and restaurant menus by placing their own QR codes on signage to deceive unsuspecting victims.
Katherine Hart, lead officer at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, expressed concern over the significant losses incurred by individuals falling victim to these scams. People have lost substantial amounts of money, with some losing their life savings, which ultimately funds criminal activities. The issue of fraudulent QR codes poses a significant challenge to authorities globally, as it is a form of crime that is often under-reported.
Reports reveal that the use of misleading QR codes extends beyond car parks to include parcels, emails, and even television advertisements. Victims who scan these codes unknowingly provide scammers access to their sensitive information, such as bank details, resulting in financial losses. Experts warn that the prevalence of this scam is rapidly increasing, with recorded incidents in the UK more than doubling between 2023 and 2024, reflecting the growing sophistication of criminals in exploiting technology for fraudulent activities.
Milton Haworth, a victim of a fraudulent QR code scam at a council-run car park, highlighted the lack of awareness and action by authorities to address this issue. Haworth unknowingly subscribed to a service and incurred charges after scanning a QR code to pay for parking. He stressed the importance of holding authorities accountable for combating this type of cybercrime, emphasizing the potential impact on a large scale if such scams continue to target individuals. The need for vigilance and caution when interacting with QR codes is crucial to prevent falling victim to these fraudulent schemes
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