QR code traffic violation scams surge across U.S.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP). Cybersecurity researchers have identified a rapid escalation in phishing campaigns using fake traffic violation notices that direct victims to malicious websites via QR codes. The scams, impersonating state court systems nationwide, send text messages claiming recipients have outstanding fines that will result in license suspension unless paid immediately. Unlike previous iterations using web links, the QR code approach bypasses some spam filters and exploits user familiarity with legitimate government QR code usage during the pandemic. BleepingComputer reported Sunday that scammers rotate through hundreds of domain registrations daily, with payment pages designed to harvest credit card data and driver's license numbers for identity theft. The FBI and state attorneys general have issued alerts, but the decentralized nature of the campaign complicates takedown efforts. Security experts advise recipients to verify any traffic violation directly through official court websites rather than scanning unsolicited QR codes.