If you have an Android smartphone, you should definitely check whether you have the “ QR Code & Barcode – Scanner ” app installed on the device. There is a dangerous malicious code hidden behind the application that targets cell phone users' bank details. But not only that! As our cooperation partner Watchlist reports, the app even makes unjustified credit card debits.

According to Cleafy's experts, the QR code app has already been downloaded over 10,000 times from the official Google Play Store. The fraudsters used a trick to circumvent the security standards of the Google Play Stores. Basically, the app itself was initially harmless, but the banking Trojan “ Teabot ” was added when it was subsequently installed. The Trojan can access all personal data and access to banking apps.

Note on the “QR Code & Barcode Scanner” app

If you have downloaded the “QR Code & Barcode – Scanner” app from the Play Store and installed it on your smartphone, you should delete it immediately.

QR Code & Barcode – Scanner / TeaBot Dropper released on the official Google Play Store (February 2022)
QR Code & Barcode – Scanner / TeaBot Dropper released on the official Google Play Store (February 2022)

Be careful of unjustified credit card debits

The watchlist only published this information on April 15, 2022: A QR code is scanned, a program is downloaded or an app is installed on the cell phone. Consumers report everyday situations in which they suddenly land on the medianess.co website and are asked to enter their credit card details. A few days later, they are surprised to find that they have taken out an unwanted subscription. We will explain to you how you can stop the unjustified debits and get your money back.

How do those affected end up in the subscription trap?

What's particularly nasty is that those affected are deceived into believing that they are entering their credit card details on a reputable site. A reader tells us that she set up the Google Playstore on a tablet and was suddenly asked to enter her credit card details. The same thing happened to another reader when she wanted to reserve a furniture delivery van using a QR code. Other victims report that they were redirected to the dubious website medianess.co when they received the result of a corona test or took out a subscription to a reputable daily newspaper.

These are everyday situations in which potential victims are redirected from a reputable site to a dubious site. The fact that you are taking out a subscription is only mentioned in the small print at the end of the page.

The watchlist assumes that the redirection to the medianess.co site works through advertising. We have already reported on fraudulent advertising in QR code scanners . medianess.co also seems to be increasingly advertising on such scanners. Our tip: Always check which page you are on before entering your details!

What happens after entering the credit card details?

A reader tells us that a few hours later she received an email from the email address support@receipt.medianess.co:

Dear XXX,
we are pleased to welcome you as a new member.
You now have free access to medianess.co for 5 days! Your Account Credentials:
Username: XXX
Password: XXX
Your Billing Information:
Billing ID: XXX
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your membership, please visit medianess.co/contact
By subscribing to our Service, you agree to the Terms and Conditions found at medianess.co/terms find.
You can find the data protection declaration at medianess.co/privacy and the right of withdrawal at medianess.co/right-of-withdrawal.
Thank you for your trust.

This email will link to a page where you can read that the contract can be canceled within 14 days. To do this, you have to contact the company Rialta Limited, based in Jamaica. But only in a few cases does the termination seem to be accepted. In most cases, those affected do not receive confirmation of the termination. Instead, 29.99 euros will continue to be debited monthly.

How can you enforce your rights?

If you have been lured into the subscription trap by medianess.co, you don't have to worry: Even if the dubious company is based in Jamaica, you can enforce your rights. Since medianess.co is aimed at a German-speaking audience, the laws that apply here must also be adhered to. They were not clearly informed about the conclusion of a contract, but were deliberately deceived. Therefore no contract was concluded.

To cancel the alleged subscription and get your money back, you should do the following:

  • Write to the dubious company at customer@medianess.co. Demand immediate cancellation and a refund of the debited contributions. Explain that this is not a legitimate subscription contract.
  • If medianess.co does not respond to your requests, contact your credit card company. If nothing has been debited yet, you should clarify whether the company can be blocked from debits.
  • If money has already been debited, request a refund from your credit card company. Because: Amounts that were debited from you without your consent (for example amounts that were not adequately mentioned during the purchase) must be refunded by your payment service provider in accordance with Section 67 of the Payment Services Act 2018.

Sources: Watchlist , Cleafy


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