Have you ever received a mysterious package at your door that you did not order? Well, now you may have to take extra precautions with these packages, as they can become a mesh for scammers to steal your money. Pittsburgh’s Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has highlighted a new type of scam, which has been quite often in many areas. This new trick is being called “brushing scam”, where scammers “are distributed unwanted packages with a QR code. These QR codes are affixed as a mesh, as soon as these scans are performed, scammers are able to reconstruct the user’s personal and financial data and also install malicious software on the phone. Here you need to know about this ongoing scam, and how you can be safe.
What is a brush scam?
FBI Pittsburgh recently shared a post on the microblogging platform X (East Twitter), exposing a new ongoing scam to smartphone users to vacate their bank accounts. The post talked about the “brushing scam”, which are using to steal individual and financial information through the scammers QR code.
Allegedly, scammers are using the curiosity of the people to find out where the unwanted package is given. The package does not include no return address or sender information, which leaves people with QR code. If the curious brain scans the QR code, they are compromised or scamful by downloading their personal information malicious spyware on their phone. These tricks are being used to steal credit card numbers, bank credentials, trading accounts and others.
While the scam seems scary, the FBI assured that “the scam is not as comprehensive as other fraud schemes, the public should be aware of this criminal activity.”
How to be safe from brush scam?
With the warning, the FBI also shared some suggestions for smartphone users to stay safe from such smart tricks by scammers: Here are some suggestions to avoid becoming a victim of online scams:
1. Be careful if you receive any unwanted package that contains goods.
2. Be sure to check the information of the sender. If the package does not include any return address or information, avoid receiving the package.
3. Avoid scanning any suspected package or QR code from unknown origin.
4. Finally, if you have been cheated in the brushing scam, immediately change the password of your account and block your bank accounts.
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