A recent scam has surfaced, although it is not a new concept but we want to raise awareness in order to prevent you from becoming a victim.
The scam in question is known as “brushing” This occurs when individuals receive unexpected gifts or items that they did not order, often from retailers like Amazon. These gifts can include items such as rings, bracelets, necklaces, Bluetooth speakers, and more. While the parcel will bear the recipient’s address, it will lack any information about the sender and will not come from a recognized retailer. Upon opening the package in search of details about the gift or its sender, recipients may find a QR code inviting them to scan it for information.
However, scanning this code can have serious consequences. By doing so, individuals inadvertently share their phone’s information with scammers, granting them access to personal and financial data. This can lead to the draining of bank accounts and other financial losses.
While recipients have the option to keep or dispose of the gift, it is crucial that they do NOT scan the QR code under any circumstances. QR code scams have become increasingly common and can be found in various locations, including parking meters.
We urge you to inform your family and friends about this scam and to refrain from scanning any unfamiliar QR codes found in unexpected packages.