SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is a volunteer attorney who provides free legal services for low income seniors in San Mateo County, California.

July 11, 2020

MORE CORONAVIRUS SCAMS

Coronavirus scams are spreading nearly as fast as the virus itself. As of July 5, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) had logged about 120,700 consumer complaints related to COVID-19 and stimulus payments.

Fraudsters are using the full suite of scam tools — phishing emails and texts, robocalls, impostor schemes and more — and closely following the headlines, adapting their messages and tactics as new medical and economic concerns arise.

Here are other types of coronavirus scams:

*Bogus cures. No vaccines or drugs have been approved specifically to treat or prevent COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

*Teas, essential oils, cannabinol, colloidol silver and intravenous vitamin-C therapies are among supposed antiviral treatments hawked in clinics and on websites, social media and television shows as defenses against the pandemic.

*Supplies such as surgical masks, test kits and household cleaners, often in robocalls, texts or social media ads.

*Stimulus checks under the federal CARES Act and tens of millions of people newly unemployed, federal agencies are warning of a wave of schemes to steal government payments.

* Government agency imposters. Watch out for calls or emails, purportedly from government agencies, that use the term “stimulus” (the official term is “economic-impact payment”) and ask you to sign over a check or provide personal information like your Social Security number.

*COVID-19 Stock scams. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is warning investors about fraudsters touting investments in companies with products that supposedly can prevent, detect or cure COVID-19. You should ignore phone calls or emails from strangers urging you to invest in a hot new coronavirus stock.

* Phishing texts. The FTC is warning consumers about phishing texts, supposedly from contact tracers warning you that you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. The message includes a link that, if clicked, downloads malware to your device

* Phony information about coronavirus. Developing and testing vaccines for viruses takes a long time, and you will hear about them first from a legitimate source, such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the World Health Organization (WHO).

Tips to guard against coronavirus scams:

*Avoid online offers for coronavirus-related vaccines or cures; they are not legitimate.

*Be wary of emails, calls and social media posts advertising “free” or government-ordered COVID-19 tests. Check the FDA website www.fda.gov for a list of approved tests and testing companies.

*Do not click on links or download files from unexpected emails, even if the email address looks like a company or person you recognize. Ditto for text messages and unfamiliar websites.

*Don’t share personal information such as Social Security, Medicare and credit card numbers in response to an unsolicited call, text or email.

*Be skeptical of fundraising calls or emails purportedly for COVID-19 victims or virus research, especially if they pressure you to act fast and request payment by prepaid debit cards or gift cards.

AARP’s Fraud Watch Network can help you spot and avoid scams. Call our toll-free fraud helpline at 877-908-3360 if you or a loved one suspect you have been a victim.

ATTRIBUTION:  AARP

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