In last month’s Scam Spotter, we wrote about back-to-school scams. I want to follow up with more information for parents about teens and scams. Surprisingly, the under 20-year-old age group is seeing the largest and fastest rise in online fraud. In fact, a study by the investigative service SocialCatfish.com found a 156% increase in people under the age of 20 falling for online scams over the past three years, specifically those targeted by cybercriminals with fake profiles.
One reason for the increase may be that this age group is extremely comfortable with the internet, possibly even too comfortable. Their confidence may give them a false sense that they know what they are doing and that they are too internet savvy to be scammed.
Being comfortable on the internet isn’t enough to keep this age group or any age group from being scammed. Make the effort to educate your teen on scams no matter how resistant they may be. I care deeply about protecting youth from the hazards and long-term effects of internet fraud and cyberbullying.
Earlier this year in Austin, Texas scammers put QR code stickers over the legitimate parking meter QR code sticker. The fraudulent QR code took parkers to a site that allowed the scammer to make off with the person’s credit card information.
Quick response codes, more commonly referred to as QR codes, are those square-shaped bar codes that once scanned using a phone’s camera, directs a person to a website. QR codes are becoming ubiquitous as a marketing tool. QR codes are being used on flyers, parking meters, and business cards and have replaced paper menus at restaurants. Great for businesses, QR codes allow consumers to access websites quickly and easily.
Most QR codes are perfectly legitimate, but, as with all new technology, con artists use QR codes to scam consumers.
What are scammers trying to get? The same things they are always fishing for your personal information, linking you to malware and your financial information.
QR stands for ‘quick response’ and that’s just what scammers are hoping you’ll do; take out your phone and scan without looking at the website that the QR code is directing you to. These fake codes will direct an unsuspecting victim to phishing websites, fake payment portals and possibly connect to malware to infect your device. The Better Business Bureau is warning folks to not be so quick to scan a quick response code.
TIPS
· Think before you act.
· Do not open links from strangers – As a matter of fact, never open anything from a stranger.
· Confirm the QR code before scanning – If a friend sends you a code, check with them first before you scan.
· Be wary of being directed to short links – Hover over the QR code to see what website you are being directed to.
· Treat the link you are directed to like any other potential link, if the URL isn’t what you think it should be do not continue to the site.
· Check for tampering – is there a sticker over a sticker?
· Once on a link you should not be asked for any personal information.
As always, be safe. Feel free to send in any questions about fraud and scams to amc@denverda.org or call our Fraud Hotline if you think you may have been scammed at 720-913-9179.
Beth McMann
Denver District Attorney