The Willoughby Hills Police Department recently provided information on QR code fraud in light of it becoming a growing threat in the digital world. While there haven’t been any reports received by Willoughby Hills police of a person being scammed by QR codes, due to the quickly growing threat, the law enforcement agency felt the need to pass along QR code fraud information. According to a department Facebook post, QR codes are becoming a popular method of quickly accessing websites or gathering information. And, cybercriminals are exploiting the popularity and convenience of them by embedding malicious links or redirecting users to fake websites designed to steal personal information. “Often, these fraudulent codes are placed in high-traffic areas such as on public posters, parking lot payment boards, restaurants, receipts or even within email and text message links, luring unsuspecting individuals into scanning them,” the Willoughby Hills police’ post reads. Once scanned, these malicious QR codes can prompt users to enter sensitive data such as bank details or login credentials, leading to identity theft, financial loss or the installation of malware on a device, according to the department. “The ease of scanning QR codes, combined with a lack of awareness, makes it easier for attackers to bypass traditional security measures,” the Facebook post continues. “To protect yourself from QR code fraud, exercise caution when scanning QR codes from unknown sources.” The department has also encouraged people to avoid scanning codes in public places or from unsolicited emails, texts or posters unless their authenticity can be verified. Additionally, use QR code scanners that provide a preview of the URL before redirecting to the website, allowing those to spot suspicious links. “Be cautious of codes that direct you to unfamiliar websites or request sensitive information,” the department stated “Regularly update your mobile device’s security software to protect against potential malware threats. If you ever feel uncertain about the legitimacy of a QR code, it’s safer to manually type the URL into your browser rather than scanning the code directly.”