Cyber security crimes becoming more complex, warns quarterly report
QR code phishing scams have recently created chaos among Christchurch parking meters.
The National Cyber Security Centre's latest quarterly report reveals that cyber security incidents are becoming increasingly complex. Although the number of reported cases remained stable from the previous quarter, a significant 20 percent rise in incidents requiring specialized technical expertise was observed. Of note, over 90 cyber incidents necessitated such advanced attention. Notably, no nationwide cyber emergencies were reported during this period.
The report highlights an alarming surge in QR code phishing scams, specifically targeting physical public and private parking meters in Christchurch. Scammers affixed fraudulent QR codes to these meters, subsequently damaging the screens with permanent markers. Deceptive customers into believing the QR codes were essential for parking fees, these malicious codes redirected users to fraudulent websites, resulting in the theft of personal payment information.
The Christchurch City Council was compelled to issue an urgent warning to customers after parking wardens noticed these deceptive stickers. QR codes were also found to be utilized in other scams, including fraudulent NZ Post deliveries. The National Cyber Security Centre advises consumers to exercise extreme caution when encountering QR codes, particularly in situations where pressure is applied, such as time-sensitive demands.
Written by urgent.news from RNZ Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
