Beware of Scammers at Your Doctor's Office

You go to the doctor's office and see a QR code to check in. Then, you get a text about a prescription. You also get a Medicare notice with your name and address. Before you leave, you see another QR code to pay for parking.

All of this seems normal. But that's what makes these scams so dangerous. Criminals can use your personal information to create fake medical and Medicare scams that look real.

A QR code can send you to a fake website that asks for your Medicare number, patient login, or credit card information. Here's what to watch out for at the doctor's office and how to protect yourself.

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Scammers can use fake QR codes to make medical and Medicare schemes look legitimate.

QR codes are commonly used in healthcare for check-in forms and parking payments. But scammers can use them to trick you.

A QR code can hide where it's taking you, making it harder to spot a scam.

The scam is simple: a criminal can scan a QR code and send you to a fake website.

The website may ask for your Medicare number, patient login, or credit card information.

This type of scam is called 'quishing.' It's hard to spot because QR codes are so common.

Scammers can use your personal information to make the scam more convincing.

Some of this information can be found on data broker and people search websites.

Protecting yourself means reducing the amount of personal information available online.

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A QR code at a doctor's office or hospital can send you to a fake website.

These scams can blend in with legitimate QR codes.

One Medicare beneficiary received a letter with a QR code that looked legitimate but was actually a scam.

A hospital in the U.K. found a fraudulent QR code sticker on a parking machine.

Law enforcement in California has seen scammers place fake QR code stickers next to parking payment instructions.

Older Americans often interact with healthcare systems, making them targets for scams.

A message about a doctor's appointment or Medicare coverage may not seem unusual, but it can be a scam.

A few quick checks can help you determine if a QR code is legitimate.

Most phones display the destination of a QR code before opening it. Look carefully at the web address.

If a receptionist or sign tells you to scan a QR code, ask if it's official.

Before scanning a QR code, look closely for signs of tampering.

An official-looking envelope doesn't guarantee that what's inside is legitimate.

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Patients can reduce their risk by checking QR code destinations and limiting personal information online.

Use your healthcare provider's official app or type their website address directly into your browser.

Enable two-factor authentication for accounts that support it.

Two-factor authentication adds another barrier against scammers.

Install operating system, browser, and security updates when available.

If you see a suspicious QR code, tell an employee and report it to the Federal Trade Commission.

Reducing personal information online can make it harder for scammers to create convincing attacks.

You can contact data brokers and people search sites to request that your information be removed.

A personal data removal service can help automate the process.

Periodically search for your name, phone number, and address online to see what strangers can find.

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The most convincing scams don't always feel random. They may include your name or address.

Before scanning a QR code, check the destination and look for signs of tampering.

Have you been asked to scan a QR code at a doctor's office or pharmacy and wondered if it was legitimate?

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Kurt 'CyberGuy' Knutsson is a tech journalist who loves technology and gadgets. He writes for Fox News and FOX Business.