QR Code Scams Surge in Michigan – Here’s How to Stay Safe

If your first question is, "What's a QR Code," chances are you're not alone. QR Codes are those weird square blob-looking thingies that started popping up on restaurant table-top ad stands in Michigan following the aftermath of 2020. You see when you take your smartphone's camera and point it at the little scanner do-hickey-ma-bob, it generates a pop-up that, when tapped, takes you to the restaurant's menu. If that doesn't ring a bell, here's a picture of one:

Now that we know what it is and what it's meant to do, it's time to let you know that not all boxy, pixelated watch-a-ma-call-its aren't to be trusted. It seems in a recent warning issued by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that QR codes have become the latest playground for scammers to swipe your cash or, worse, your personal information.

How Michigan QR Code Scams Provide Access to Identity Theft

According to the ITRC, the scam was first detected on the West Coast. However, the FTC warning includes the entire country. Imagine you're parking downtown, and you see a QR code to scan and pay for parking. Easy, right? Well, guess what? Scammers are slapping FAKE QR code sticker over a legitimate one, tricking you into entering your payment details on a bogus website.

RELATED: Experts Warn: 3 Scams Target Michigan Amazon Prime Day Shoppers

Poof! Your credit card info has been whisked away by a thief who plans to fill his Amazon cart and drain your bank account. As you might imagine, since stickers can be easily printed to place over valid QR codes beyond parking meters, the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) advises caution when using any of them.

How to Keep Your Wallet and Identity Safe in Michigan's QR Code-Riddled Economy

The FTC and ITRC recommend taking the following precautions when trusting unfamiliar QR codes:

1. Don't Trust QR Codes...Any of Them
   • UNLESS you're 100% sure of the source.
2. Always Double-Check URLs (Websites/Domains)
   • If the site seems fishy, with misspelled words, or poor grammar, chances are it's a scam. Trust your gut.
3. Use a Card or (Gasp!) Cash When Possible
   • Cash is still king in some places; where it isn't, VISA, MasterCard, and their like are.

Stay sharp, Michigan. Sure, QR codes are convenient, but going directly to a trusted website and looking for a promotion or link may be the safest alternative. If you want to see where Michigan ranks for dollars lost to identity theft and related scams, keep scrolling for a complete 50-state countdown.