FBI warns consumers of malware threat to phones from public charging stations

‘Don’t let a free USB charge wind up draining your bank account,’ the Federal Communications Commission website warns. Photograph: NurPhoto/Rex/Shutterstock

The FBI is alerting consumers not to use public charging stations, warning that fraudsters could infect such machines with malware and steal their data.

In the newly released warnings, bureau officials cautioned customers to avoid using public USB charging ports in airports, malls and hotels, noting that hackers could use the opportunity to access a person’s phone or tablet.