As part of the sanitary measures to prevent the spread of contagion from Covid-19the restaurants, pubs and other physical establishments transformed their information and menus to digital format, which could be viewed through a QR code.
Despite the fact that the pandemic has ended and the face mask is already optional in Mexico, some businesses permanently stayed with the digital option. Meanwhile, many scammers have taken the opportunity to steal data and said through the QRjacking Y QRishing.
It might interest you: BBVA, Banorte or Azteca: Which are the banks with the most fraud complaints? This says the Condusef
The Federal Consumer Protection Office (Profeco) has warned about this type of electronic attacks so that customers are careful when opening menus or promotions that are sent on behalf of different companies, since there are false codes that can harm them.
QRjacking and QRishing take information and private data from users in order to misuse them, empty their bank accounts, access their contacts, carry out extortion or obtain their social networks.
- QRjacking refers to to kidnap social networks and access to the information of the victim, so they obtain contacts, files, conversations and personal data.
- QRishing is about identity fraudwhich goes hand in hand with extortion of friends and relatives of the victim.
How do QR code scams work?
Cyber criminals send promotions and offers through a QR code sent by WhatsApp. That is, pretending to be companies, they write to your phone and attach the code for you to access it.
After scanning the code, you are directed to a malicious website, which steals your phone data. Sometimes, instead of directing you to a website, a file starts downloading, which is malware that empties your information.
When you receive offers by WhatsApp or QR codes without your having requested them, do not access them, as your information could fall into the hands of scammers. Profeco recommends only opening this type of format when it is the company’s staff who gives it to you directly.
The last:
High level Team of young journalists whose objective is to explain the most relevant business, economy and finance news. We are passionate about telling stories and believe in citizen and service journalism.