The Ocean County Board of Commissioners is warning residents to watch out for scams involving fake QR codes, as the codes become more common on payments, menus and promotions.
Scammers can use fake QR codes to send people to fraudulent websites designed to steal personal or financial information, the county said in a post on Thursday morning.
The Ocean County Department of Consumer Affairs offered these tips before you scan:
- Only scan QR codes from trusted sources.
- Double-check the website address before entering any information.
- Be cautious of QR codes posted in public places, on parking meters, or sent through unexpected emails and text messages.
“A quick scan can lead to a costly scam if you’re not careful,” the department said. When in doubt, it advises typing the website address directly into your browser instead of scanning an unfamiliar QR code.
