The Social Security Administration is warning the public about a fast-growing scam in which criminals posing as police officers, sheriff's deputies or federal agents demand payment through barcodes or QR codes loaded with money at big-name retailers.
The scam typically begins with a scary phone call about a loved one, a debt or a legal problem, followed by a text or email containing one or more barcodes or QR codes. Victims are told to visit a retail store, load money onto each code and read the code back once it is paid. Some victims lose thousands of dollars, often without ever giving up a Social Security number or other personal information — the barcode itself is the scam.
Callers may claim the target owes a fine or debt, or say a family member, often an adult child, has been arrested and needs bail money. The release notes that victims might even hear a family member's voice, but warns that voice cloning technology is easy, inexpensive and readily available.
"Government agencies and law enforcement will never demand payment through a barcode or QR code—if told to load money onto one at a retailer, hang up or ignore the message; it's a scam," the SSA said.
The agency said law enforcement officers, the SSA, its Office of the Inspector General and other government agencies will never demand immediate payment by sending barcodes or QR codes. It advised people to pause, because scammers create urgency so targets will not have time to think or talk to others, and never to trust a call transfer — instead hanging up and calling the agency directly using a number from its official website.
Anyone who receives a barcode or QR code scam attempt involving someone claiming to be from the SSA can report it at ssa.gov/scam or call the SSA OIG Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271. Reports can also be made to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.