OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — As the holiday gets closer, scam artists are working overtime trying to take advantage of you.
Deputy Tara Hardin with the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office says scammers are trying to gain additional information about you or gain access to your device.
"There are several scams that really increase this time of year," said Deputy Hardin.
Deputy Hardin said fraudsters are mailing packages to homes with gifts inside, along with a QR code. This particular scam is called "brushing."
"We're all receiving packages this time of year, so it's no surprise that you might receive a package that you weren't expecting or you think it's a gift. Inside this package to indicate who sent you the gift is a QR code that you're supposed to scan for additional information," said Deputy Hardin.
When scanning the QR code, it installs a virus on your phone, gaining access to personal information like passwords used to get into your email or banking apps.
Tiffany Whitefield is an Oklahoma Blogger and Influencer. She's received multiple mystery packages to her home that were addressed to her husband.
"It had his name on it and it is from a person named Alex out of Illinois from a shopping center," Whitefield said.
Whitefield said the first package included a QR code and a pack of glittery dresses. Another package she received last week had the same QR code and three hair combs.
Another scam targeting Oklahomans is a text claiming to be from the U.S. Postal Service, telling you your package is delayed and to re-enter your information in a link.
Deputy Hardin said instead of clicking the link, go directly to the source.
"If you truly are waiting on a package and you think it might be held up instead of clicking on that link in the text message, go to the source where you ordered it."
Deputy Hardin said the individuals doing this are real people, and they're hard to catch, due to the advancement of technology.
The best way to avoid being a victim, is to delete the suspicious texts and toss a package with any strange gifts provided with a QR code.
