Accounts Drained Instantly; Don't Scan QR Codes Carelessly

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia — You need to be vigilant and avoid scanning QR codes carelessly, as many fraudsters are using QR codes to steal personal information and money from victims.

This crime employs a method called “quishing,” which combines QR codes with phishing tactics. This modus operandi is designed to entice victims into scanning QR codes.

Once successful, victims are directed to specific websites where they are prompted to download something to their device, which is extremely dangerous. Additionally, victims are asked to enter various login credentials, and this personal information is ultimately captured by the perpetrators.

This squishing-based crime is becoming increasingly prevalent, given that QR codes are easy to create by anyone without requiring any special expertise.

However, there is no need to worry entirely, as there are ways to avoid falling victim to this QR code fraud. There are several tips to prevent becoming a victim of such scams.

One key recommendation is not to trust QR codes posted in public places or those provided by people you do not know at all. Criminal QR codes can also be identified by the sense of urgency and worry they create in potential victims—for example, by including statements to scan the QR code to verify identity or prevent account deletion.

Finally, remember to enable two-factor authentication on every account. Always ensure you log out or sign off from services or devices that you no longer use.