***UPDATE***
Scams related to the Coronavirus are continuing to grow at a rapid pace. Please remember to keep checking what you are responding to. Here are 5 great tips to follow daily with the threat of Coronavirus scams:
- Don’t respond to texts, emails or calls about checks from the government.
- Ignore online offers for vaccinations and home test kits.
- Hang up on robocalls.
- Watch for emails claiming to be from the CDC or WHO. Use sites like coronavirus.gov and usa.gov/coronavirus to get the latest information.
- Do your homework when it comes to donations. Never donate in cash, by gift card, or by wiring money.
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With so much going on in society it is always good practice to be extra cautious. Below are examples of scams that we are seeing more of:
- Medicare scams – Scammers might call to offer things like a “COVID-19 kit,” “Coronavirus package,” or Medicare benefits related to the virus. But they’ll ask you to verify personal information like your bank account, Social Security, or Medicare numbers. If you get a call from someone who says they’re a Medicare representative and they ask for this information, hang up.
- Relief payment messages from “government agencies” – fraudulent calls, texts, and emails coming from people pretending to be from the Social Security Administration, IRS, Census, USCIS and the FDIC. These fake government messages might say that you’re approved for money, can get quick relief payments, or get cash grants due to the Coronavirus. Scammers might also promise you small business loans, or send a (phishing) alert that a check is ready to be picked up.
- Grandparent Scams – In grandparent scams, scammers pose as panicked grandchildren in trouble, calling or sending messages urging you to wire money immediately. They’ll say they need cash to help with an emergency – like paying a hospital bill or needing to leave a foreign country. They pull at your heartstrings so they can trick you into sending money before you realize it’s a scam.
- Relief Check Scams – The government is sending out relief checks as part of the federal response to the Coronavirus. Scammers heard the same thing, and they’re hoping to cash in on yours. Be very vigilant in who you are responding to.
- Church/Community Programs – Fraudsters that are claiming to be from a local church or community reach-out program (among others) and are requesting donations to help people who are struggling. They are requesting that you purchase a gift card and give them the card information to help others.
- You might also spot phishing scams, where scammers try to get your Social Security number (SSN) or financial info – maybe to guarantee you access to a COVID-19 vaccine.
- Scammers are still running some of their go-to favorites such as tech support, utilities, or lower-your-interest-rate. They are also promising that you can refinance your mortgage or get student loan debt forgiveness – for a fee, of course.
Be cautious of all phone calls and texts. Unfortunately, many of these requests are people taking advantage of the current health crisis. Be vigilant in protecting yourself and your finances.
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Tips on what to look out for.
As you practice social distancing and limit your time out and about, don’t forget that you need to protect yourself from scammers and fraudsters as well!
Fraudsters are using their knowledge about the virus by launching Coronavirus-themed attacks to gain your personal information. Here are some of the scams we’re seeing, and tips you can take to protect yourself, your personal information, and your wallet.
Shopping Online: Know who you’re buying from. Check out the sites that you are visiting and make sure they are real. If it is a site that is new or you have never heard of, skip over it and go with something you are used to. Double check your website addresses line – make sure that they are spelled correctly and taking you to a secure site.
Fake charities: Fact-check your information. Scammers, and sometimes well-meaning people, share information that hasn’t been verified. Before you donate contact trusted sources and make sure your donation is going to an actual charity. Choose to support your local charities and make arrangements to donate locally.
Fake emails, texts and phishing: Scammers use fake emails or texts to get you to share valuable personal information — like account numbers, Social Security numbers, or your login IDs and passwords. We will never ask you to disclose your personal information through a text or email. Please don’t respond to texts and emails about your checks or tax return from the government. Don’t click on links from sources you don’t know. They could download viruses onto your computer or device. When in doubt – just throw it out!
Robocalls: Scammers are also using illegal robocalls to make up everything from scam about Coronavirus treatments to work-at-home schemes. Hang up on robocalls. Don’t press any numbers. If the call takes you to an individual do not give out any personal information, tell them you are not interested and hang up.
Misinformation and rumors: Once again – fact check. Scammers want to share information that is not true to scare and rush you into a decision that will allow them to gain access to your most important information. Please make sure if you are needing more information and wanting to know if something is real you are reaching out or visiting credible sites that can get you those answers.
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Some sites to visit for information would be:
- Federal Trade Commission – Consumer Information https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/
- Coronavirus Scams: What the FTC is Doing at ftc.gov/coronavirus
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
We encourage you to reach out to us if you have questions or concerns. We’re here for you and ready to help you in this time of hardship.