BBB warns of suspicious package QR code scam

JACKSON, Tenn. — The holiday season is here and a package you didn’t order could be a fun surprise, but be careful — especially if it comes with a QR code.

The Better Business Bureau warns you that it might be the setup for a scam.

The code comes with instructions to scan it to find out who sent the package, or how to start a return.

Scanning the QR code can lead to a phishing website or download malware onto your device.

“That one silver lining of a brushing scam is that you get to keep the gift, so the Federal Trade Commission says that you do have the legal right to keep the unordered merchandise,” said Toddnetta Trice with the BBB of the Mid-South.

Trice warns against scanning the QR code to protect your identity.

“Of course, one package is no big deal, but if you’re starting to get more and more packages, you’re going to go ahead and contact whoever is delivering that package, whether that’s USPS, or FedEx and let them know, ‘Hey, I am not accepting these packages, you can go ahead and return those back to sender,'” Trice said.

Click here to report suspicious activity to the BBB Scam Tracker.

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