In this issue: Bogus QR codes and CCTV/doorbell camera request.
Your CCTV helps us solve real crimes!
Consider registering your CCTV and doorbell cameras with us today, to receive alerts when your footage may help us catch criminals operating in your area.
How it works in three steps:
- Register your cameras securely in 60 seconds.
- You will receive a text or email when a crime happens near your home or business and our officers believe your CCTV may have recorded the incident.
- Upload the images via the secure link contained in the message.
For more information visit CCTV Registry | Essex Police
Watch out for bogus QR codes at car parks
Quick Response (QR) codes, are those black and white patterned squares you scan with a smartphone. They have become popular methods to pay for parking or at restaurants, but they’ve also become a useful tool for scammers. These nasty scams can convince you to scan a dodgy QR code to pay for parking, only to sting you with a monthly subscription trap.
How to tell if a QR code is safe
Always follow these six checks before you scan a QR code:
- Look for evidence of tampering – can you see that they’ve been stuck over something? If in doubt, enter the website address manually.
- Avoid using an app to scan QR codes because it can increase the risk of downloading malware or being redirected to a misleading advert. Most phones have a scanner built into the camera, so use this instead.
- Preview the address before following it. When you scan a QR code, the address should come up before you’re redirected to it.
- Use a verified app store (Play Store at play.google.com or App Store at apps.apple.com) to download apps instead of using a QR code as the latter is less trustworthy and could lead to malware being downloaded to your device.
- Avoid QR codes in emails as these could be used by scammers to disguise phishing links.
- Check the display board in car parks to see how you can pay for parking.
If you lose any money to a scam, call your bank immediately using the number on the back of your bank card and report it to Action Fraud, or call the police on 101 if you’re in Scotland.
The above is part of a Which? news article, and the full article can be found via this link below. (N.B. You can also sign up to their free Scam Alerts, (like me) should you wish.)
Scam alert: bogus QR codes continue to target motorists – Which? News