Clearwater, FL – Residents across Pinellas County are being urged to use caution today after the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office issued a warning about a growing scam involving fake QR codes placed in public spaces.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, scammers have been creating counterfeit QR codes and placing them on signs, parking kiosks, and other public locations to trick users into visiting malicious websites. These sites are designed to steal personal information, login credentials, and in some cases, financial data.
Deputies said the fake codes often look legitimate at first glance, but users may spot red flags once they land on the website. The Sheriff’s Office noted that scam sites frequently contain misspelled words, bad grammar, incorrect URLs, and poor visual design—common indicators of fraudulent activity.
Officials stressed that residents should double-check any QR code before scanning it. If you do scan one, authorities recommend verifying that the resulting website is the correct and official address for the service you are trying to access. The warning comes amid increasing reports nationwide of scammers using QR codes to conceal phishing attempts.
For parking payments in particular, deputies advise residents to avoid scanning QR stickers altogether. Instead, they recommend manually searching for the official parking app in your device’s mobile app store to ensure you are using a legitimate platform.
The Sheriff’s Office continues to monitor the situation and encourages anyone who encounters a suspicious QR code to report it. Residents are also urged to share this information with friends, relatives, and coworkers to reduce the risk of additional victims.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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