Brushing Scam: Sheriff's Office Urges Caution In DuPage County

DUPAGE COUNTY — The DuPage County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) is warning residents of a new "brushing" scam that involves victims receiving a package they did not order

In the scam, the package has a QR code with a prompt for the recipient to scan. Police say scammers may use the QR code to access personal information for identity theft, bank fraud and other crimes.

DCSO recommends the following to avoid being the victim of a brushing scam:

• Avoid scanning unfamiliar QR codes or clicking suspicious links
• If the company who sent the item appears to be legitimate, contact them
• Report any scams to your municipality's police department or the sheriff's office if you're in an unincorporated area

According to DCSO, there has been an uptick in "brushing" scams throughout the U.S. in recent months. f