Complaints to the Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker show a surge in recent months of unsolicited packages arriving with instructions to scan a code to find out who sent them or how to initiate a return. The codes can lead to phishing websites or download malware that charges customers a recurring fee, creating access to their bank accounts.
In one Feb. 28 report to BBB Scam Tracker, a customer received an unmarked package that looked as if it came from Amazon. He said it was addressed to his home address and included items he “would have never ordered” such as “baby burping clothes” and two eye makeup products.
“There are QR codes on the outside of the box and on the products, which I did not attempt to scan,” the customer said.