Three women from the region victims of PayPal fraud-this is how they protect themselves!

Three women from the region victims of PayPal fraud-this is how they protect themselves!

Recently, the fraud cases with fake QR codes in the region are increasing, which not only heats the minds, but also empties the health insurers. Three women from Dümmer, Sternberg and Parchim became victims of a perfidious stitch in which fraud gained access to PayPal accounts and branched off high sums. According to Nordkurier , the three women reported their cases to the police and reported on their experiences.

A 49-year-old who wanted to sell something on the ebay classifieds platform received a QR code from a supposed buyer. This led to a fake PayPal side that was confused by the real. Tragically, the woman registered with her access data, which gave the fraudsters access to their account. In several transactions, she was stolen around a thousand euros, whereby the "Family and Friends" option was used - a payment method that makes it impossible to return the money.

fraud stitch with QR codes

Two other women, 21 and 28 years old, also fell into such stitches and received links to similar, fake pages. The 28-year-old, who also wanted to sell an article, was lucky enough to act quickly and was able to prevent almost 1300 euros from being debited from her account. However, a 28-year-old Parchimer who wanted to sell clothes on the Vinted platform was cheated by around 750 euros. The police suspect that the number of victims is far higher than previously known.

The mesh, in which users are guided on dangerous pages by fake QR codes, is not new. According to Lifelock , almost 27 million QR codes worldwide were scanned, and use is expected to increase by 22 percent by 2025. QR codes offer convenience, but they also pose risks. This emphasizes the Lower Saxony Consumer Center and highlights the phenomenon of "quishing", in which QR codes are used to steal personal data or install malware.

protection against fraud

How can you be protected from such frauds? The police and experts recommend that you always take care: In no way you should click on the links or QR codes, but log in directly via the official PayPal app or website. Fake pages are often deceptively real and difficult to recognize. In addition, if you suspect fraud, you will immediately contact the house bank.

To secure yourself better, there are some best practices that should be considered. So it is important to check the URL before clicking and pay attention to signs of manipulation. The context of the QR code should also be taken into account-is the urgency of a message justified? Always verify with a trustworthy source and avoid third-party scanner apps.

Falls Sie dennoch auf einen verdächtigen QR-Code gestoßen sind, sollten Sie sofort Ihre Internetverbindung trennen, Ihr Gerät auf Malware scannen und gegebenenfalls Ihre Passwörter ändern. It is also advisable to monitor accounts and, if sensitive information has been shared, to freeze a loan.

Nevertheless, not all QR codes are risky-most are safe when they come from reliable sources. With a watchful eye and some common sense, we can put the craft for the fraud. For those who need support, the Lower Saxony Consumer Center offers consultations to clarify questions about data protection. Click here for the information: Consumer center Lower Saxony .