Largo Police Alert Residents to QR Code Candy Sale Scam
Largo, Florida police are warning residents about a scam where individuals impersonate high school students selling candy to raise money for sports teams, using QR codes to steal money.
Tampa St. Petersburg, FL, July 21, 2026 —
Largo, Florida police have issued a warning to residents regarding a new scam targeting unsuspecting individuals. The scam involves individuals posing as high school students who claim to be selling candy to raise funds for their school’s sports teams. Authorities are advising the public to be cautious when approached with such solicitations, particularly those involving digital payment methods.
According to reports, these scammers are employing QR codes as their primary method for defrauding victims. Potential donors are instructed to scan these QR codes, which are designed to redirect them to malicious websites or directly initiate fraudulent financial transactions. The impersonators leverage the common practice of student-led fundraising for extracurricular activities to gain trust and solicit donations.
The Largo Police Department is urging residents to exercise extreme vigilance. While specific details regarding the number of incidents or the exact methods used to present the QR codes were not immediately available, the department emphasizes that legitimate school fundraising efforts typically do not rely solely on QR codes for monetary contributions. Residents are encouraged to verify the authenticity of any fundraising requests by contacting the school or the alleged sports team directly through official channels.
Authorities recommend that if a resident encounters someone soliciting funds for a school sports team and requests payment via a QR code, they should refuse the transaction. Instead, they should report the suspicious activity to the Largo Police Department. Further details on how to identify and report such scams are expected to be released by law enforcement as the investigation progresses. The police are committed to protecting residents from these fraudulent schemes and ensuring the safety of the community’s financial well-being.
Story summarized from the original created by Ashley Suter on www.wfla.com, see more information here.
