Every airport has its own specific three-letter code. Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport is PHX, for example, and Denver International Airport is DEN. It turns out that the way these codes are assigned is much more complicated than just abbreviating the city or state. If you fly to Montreal, Canada the call sign is YUL. Why is this and how does the system work?
QR code scams are out of control - How to protect yourself
Imagine losing $15,000 in just a few seconds. It happened to a woman who scanned a QR code to take a survey and instead downloaded malware that drained her bank account.
QR codes are those black-and-white dot-based images you scan to open websites, menus and apps. You name it. But they’re also a sneaky way in for scammers, so much so that the FBI is warning you to think twice, too.
Here’s one of their most dastardly tricks
QR codes date back to the ’90s but exploded in popularity during the pandemic. I bet you remember scanning a few QR codes to open restaurant menus. One study found 84% of smartphone users have scanned a QR code at least once and about a third scanned one a week.
It’s much easier to scan a code than type in a URL, and criminals use that convenience to their advantage.
Say you’re at the gas station
You see a sign branded with the gas station logo that you can scan for a discount. What you didn’t realize is that someone covered up the real QR code with a sticker leading to a bogus site. Thieves are smart enough to make sites look like the ones you’d expect to visit.
Just like that, you handed over your personal info or even payment details.
The same trick is used on parking meters
And in paid parking lots, at banks and in emails. Because you can’t see where a QR code’s URL leads before you snap a pic, you need to take some extra steps to protect yourself.
At a meter that asks you to scan to pay? First, look for another option. Can you visit your town or city’s website directly? If not, go to the official website first, then scan the QR code. Compare and see if the site you were directed to looks similar or way off. If it does, that’s a red flag.
🚩 Pro tip: Run your fingers over a QR code before you scan it. Can you tell if a sticker was placed over the top of the original code? That’s a big red flag.
Watch out! These QR code scams are tough to spot
QR codes have been around for some time, but they saw an increase in usage as the COVID-19 pandemic became more serious. For example, the square black and white images made it safer for people to view a restaurant’s menu. Instead of physically handling it, they can see it on their phones.
Ship smarter: This website compares rates for all available carriers, including UPS, FedEx and DHL, so you know the best price. They include current discount codes, too. Score.
QR codes used in warfare
You won’t believe how powerful scanning one of these malicious QR codes is. Plus, the app that turned into a marketing nightmare, three must-have downloads and OpenAI’s duet shows just how far language models are coming.
🅿️ Thieves are slapping fake QR codes on parking meters: The stickers are placed over the originals to look legit but redirect you to sketchy links or phony websites. Pay directly at the meter or look for a kiosk. If scanning a code is the only way, use a credit card and scan the site for spelling errors, blurry images or strange logos.
Scammers have a new money-stealing trick: Fraudulent QR codes on parking meters
In many cities around the country, finding a parking spot can be a nightmare. When you manage to get one, you also have to contend with the parking meter. Never lose your car in a parking lot again with this clever trick.
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⚠️ Scan at your own risk: YouTube is rolling out QR codes for all channels, making it easier to find creators. Be careful what you scan. It’s incredibly easy to whip up a fake QR code that leads to a malicious site. Double-check the URL to be sure it looks legit when you get there.
📧 Mark Cuban scammed: The billionaire received strange notifications in Gmail before answering a phone call from someone ready to fix his account. He bought it, hook, line and sinker. Reminder: Google will never ask for passwords or verification codes over the phone, email or messages.
🚨 TikTok vape dealers: TikTokkers are illegally selling vapes to kids using secret codes to trick parents. Red flag phrases include “elf bundle” (i.e., an Elf Bar vape), “ALL FAKE” (used to slip past Communist China censors) and “#noID” (no identification required). If your kid recently got hair scrunchies, beauty products or candy in the mail, check the package.
🇺🇸 Patriot Mobile’s big breach: The self-proclaimed “Christian conservative wireless provider” exposed its cellphone customers’ info, including full names, email addresses, ZIP codes and account PINs. Hard to ignore the timing on this one … If you’re a subscriber, update your login info ASAP.
QR cronies: Hackers have upped their tactics with QR codes in PDFs that lead to fake sites and steal login details. Double-check those “official” emails and think twice before you send anything to a random online portal.
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