Residents in the Town of Palm Beach have been warned about a new scam involving QR codes on unexpected packages, known as "brushing." Alerts from town authorities and the Palm Beach Police Department follow reports of mysterious parcels instructing recipients to scan QR codes to reveal the sender's identity. CBS12 reports that these QR codes are designed to either steal personal information or infect phones with malware.
The Town of Palm Beach warns that scanning the QR codes on these packages can unintentionally share personal data with scammers or criminals. WPBF adds that while recipients can choose to keep or discard the items, scanning the QR code may lead to regrettable consequences.
The FBI advises against scanning QR codes from unverified sources and warns that if a scanned code directs you to a site requesting personal information, you should be cautious. Scammers may also place fraudulent QR codes over legitimate ones, so avoid codes that appear tampered with. Additionally, unsolicited requests for payments via gift cards are a common fraud tactic.
If you suspect you've encountered a scam or received a suspicious package, contact the Palm Beach Police Department for assistance. Stay informed about scams through resources like the FTC’s Scam Awareness website and protect your personal information.
