Ravalli County warns residents about brushing scams with QR codes [Video]

RAVALLI COUNTY, Mont. – The Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office is alerting residents about a new scam involving QR codes on packages. Sheriff Steve Holton is warning the community that these “brushing” scams are becoming more sophisticated and are now using online platforms.

“Brushing” scams involve scanning QR codes that can extract financial and personal information from cell phones, delivering this data to scammers. Sheriff Holton advises people to avoid scanning QR codes found in unexpected places or from unknown vendors.

Scammers are sending packages to random addresses, prompting recipients to scan a QR code to identify the sender. If an unsolicited package arrives with a QR code request, residents should not comply unless they recognize the retailer or sender.

Sheriff Holton emphasized in a press release, “Citizens should not follow QR codes attached to packages you did not order or solicit.”

The Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office is committed to educating …