Cybercriminals use QR codes to commit online fraud. Therefore, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) advises everyone to be careful about this. The regulator said in a statement that cybercriminals collected users' personal data by adding malicious links to fake QR codes.

Users enter malicious links by scanning fake QR codes. This can put your personal data into the hands of cybercriminals. Cybercriminals talk about scanning QR codes on parking meters or using facilities at various venues. They even send messages with QR codes to resolve various account issues.

The message states that after scanning the code, the account update or troubleshooting process will not begin until the information is confirmed. Additionally, cybercriminals require scanning a QR code at a specific location or online to receive the package.

As a result, many people are being scammed without even realizing it. As the number of online QR code scams increases in countries around the world, security analysts advise against scanning QR codes from unknown sources.

They even recommend avoiding using QR codes in emails or messages with various offer inducements.