$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
QR code scams/Flyer
QR code on flyer phishing scam
Scammers distribute flyers with QR codes offering fake deals, free products, or prize claims that lead to phishing websites designed to steal personal and financial information.
“QR code scam”
↑ 133%Key indicators
Usually targetsGeneral public
Often hitsEducators and students
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$960
median reported loss
Typical range$60 – $6.0K
Recovery rate~15%
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers print and distribute flyers in public places with QR codes advertising amazing deals or contest winnings.
2
Scanning the QR code leads to a phishing website that asks for personal details, credit card numbers, or login credentials to claim the offer.
3
Submitted data is used for identity theft, unauthorized purchases, or sold to other criminals.
What to do first
Be skeptical of unsolicited flyers with QR codes, especially those promising free items or large prizes.
Related terms
flyer QR phishingfake offer QR codeQR code scamsFlyerRisingGeneral publicBargain huntersStudentsEducators and studentsOnline shoppersUnited StatesUnited KingdomCanadaflyer QR phishingfake offer QR code
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Amanda, 35, a general public, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate qr code scams situation while using Flyer. Scammers print and distribute flyers in public places with QR codes advertising amazing deals or contest winnings.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: Scanning the QR code leads to a phishing website that asks for personal details, credit card numbers, or login credentials to claim the offer.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Submitted data is used for identity theft, unauthorized purchases, or sold to other criminals.
The outcome
Amanda realized something was wrong when flyer promises unrealistic free products, large discounts, or prize winnings. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Be skeptical of unsolicited flyers with QR codes, especially those promising free items or large prizes. Amanda's experience shows why flyer promises unrealistic free products, large discounts, or prize winnings and no identifiable business name, address, or contact information on the flyer are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Flyer promises unrealistic free products, large discounts, or prize winnings
- No identifiable business name, address, or contact information on the flyer
- QR code leads to a website requesting personal information to claim the offer
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Be skeptical of unsolicited flyers with QR codes, especially those promising free items or large prizes.
- ✓Search for the business or offer online independently rather than scanning the QR code.
- ✓Report suspicious flyers to local authorities and the FTC.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- The FBI issued a warning in January 2022 that cybercriminals are increasingly tampering with both digital and physical QR codes to redirect victims to malicious sites.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Be skeptical of unsolicited flyers with QR codes, especially those promising free items or large prizes.
- ✓Search for the business or offer online independently rather than scanning the QR code.
- ✓Report suspicious flyers to local authorities and the FTC.
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
The FBI issued a warning in January 2022 that cybercriminals are increasingly tampering with both digital and physical QR codes to redirect victims to malicious sites.
FBI Public Service Announcement 2022
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
General public, Bargain hunters, Students
Geographic concentration
United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany
Primary channel
Flyer — QR code scams
Why this group is vulnerable
General public are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The growing number of reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- The FBI issued a warning in January 2022 that cybercriminals are increasingly tampering with both digital and physical QR codes to redirect victims to malicious sites.
Source notes
- FBI Public Service Announcement 2022
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about qr code on flyer phishing scam
How does the qr code on flyer phishing scam work?+
Scammers print and distribute flyers in public places with QR codes advertising amazing deals or contest winnings. Scanning the QR code leads to a phishing website that asks for personal details, credit card numbers, or login credentials to claim the offer. Submitted data is used for identity theft, unauthorized purchases, or sold to other criminals.
What are the warning signs of qr code on flyer phishing scam?+
Flyer promises unrealistic free products, large discounts, or prize winnings No identifiable business name, address, or contact information on the flyer QR code leads to a website requesting personal information to claim the offer
What should I do if I encounter qr code on flyer phishing scam?+
Be skeptical of unsolicited flyers with QR codes, especially those promising free items or large prizes. Search for the business or offer online independently rather than scanning the QR code. Report suspicious flyers to local authorities and the FTC.
Who is most at risk for qr code on flyer phishing scam?+
This scam primarily targets General public, Bargain hunters, Students. It is most commonly reported in United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany and typically appears on Flyer.
Is qr code on flyer phishing scam on the rise?+
QR code on flyer phishing scam is currently on the rise with growing reports. It has been reported across US, UK, CA, DE. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.
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