Quick Response codes - or QR codes - are a popular way to get information.

These are scannable bar codes - often in the shape of a square - and direct you to a website, which most new phones will scan with the camera app. Jack Myers with Social Security indicates they are helpful and convenient, but like most other things, require a little caution as scammers are creating QR codes to trick people into visiting a fraudulent website or downloading malware that compromises their personal info.

There are a variety of ways scammers could get you with this. For example, they could cover official QR codes with fake ones on parking meters, menus, or magazines, and send QR codes via e-mail or text message pretending to be from delivery companies. 

According to Myers, scammers can request that you confirm your information due to suspicious activity on your account using imposter QR codes or by placing harmful QR codes on social media advertisements.

While those are some of the things that can be done through QR codes, there are ways to protect yourself from a fraudulent QR code. We'll have more on that next week with Myers on Regional Radio. 

In the meantime, Myers encourages you to learn more about fraud and scams at www.ssa.gov/scam.  If you’ve come across a scam including a fraudulent QR code related to Social Security, there is a link to report it to Social Security on that website.