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QR codes are everywhere now it seems like.

They are just so convenient. I've added a QR code to my business cards that will take you right to my LinkedIn page. One of my daughters, who's selling Girl Scout cookies gets her own QR code.

So, of course, scammers are preying on this convenience and our willingness to scan, you know, every QR code that we see. So we have to be really careful here and understand what's going on.

One conference that I went to recently gave this example with parking meters.

Scammers will put a fake QR code on top of the real QR code so that you go to their website, you enter your credit card information.

Everything you're entering there is being stolen. They can also install malware that can steal other information down the road.

So you have to be really vigilant with what website that QR code is taking you to.

It shows you - you need to review the website and make sure that it is as it should be.

Be extra careful when entering personal information at a website that came from a QR code or downloading anything that came from a QR code.

And when possible, just enter the website. So with the parking sample, it should also list the website to pay for the parking.

Go to the site. It takes a little bit more time, but you can go ahead, enter that so that you are positive that it is going to where it needs to be going.

Linda Rogers, CFP®, EA, MSBA is the owner and founder of Planning Within Reach, LLC (PWR). Originally from New Jersey, Linda services clients throughout San Diego county and nationwide. She leads the design of PWR's investment portfolios which utilize broad, low-cost investments that integrate environmentally, socially, and governance (ESG) factors.

Planning Within Reach, LLC (PWR) is a fee-only and fiduciary wealth management firm offering one-time comprehensive financial planning, ongoing impact-focused investment management and tax preparation services in San Diego and nationwide. PWR is a woman-owned firm that specializes in busy professionals and impact investors. Planning Within Reach, LLC and their advisors do not receive commissions and do not hold any insurance licenses or brokerage relationships.