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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 14, 2025
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AG Nessel Re-issues Consumer Alert on QR Code Hijacking During Detroit Auto Show
LANSING – As many who attend the Detroit Auto Show will encounter a QR code to learn about products, share information, get rewards and discounts, make a payment, and more, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is re-issuing a consumer alert on QR Code Hijacking to help visitors avoid scams.
A quick response or QR code is a square matrix barcode that can be scanned using a smartphone. Scanning the code directs the user to a specific website or app. QR codes are customized for many different purposes. They have replaced paper menus in restaurants, airline boarding passes, and event tickets.
QR codes are convenient, easy to create, and the cost is minimal. This makes them appealing to cybercriminals, who create their own codes for malicious purposes. The FBI recently issued a warning that criminals are hijacking QR codes by placing stickers with codes they have created over the top of real QR codes. When scanned, these malicious codes direct victims to phishing websites where the scammers can steal personal or financial information.
“QR codes from a trustworthy source can be helpful, but consumers should watch out for codes that may have been tampered with or those coming from unknown sources, which can be used to access sensitive information or commit fraud,” Nessel said. “A QR code in a public place or location can easily be tampered with, especially at large events like the Detroit Auto Show. Do not scan a code if it is on a sticker, looks like it has been replaced, or is covered up.”
The Detroit Auto Show takes place through January 20 at Huntington Place in Detroit. If you believe you have been a victim of QR code fraud, report the fraud to your local FBI field office and to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center. If you have a consumer complaint, or believe you’ve been the victim of a scam, please file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team:
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