SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is a volunteer attorney who provided free legal services in San Mateo County, California.

July 30, 2020

ROBOCALL COVID-19 SCAMS

Courtesy US Federal Communications Commission

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the United States, phone scammers have seized the opportunity. They are using robocalls and call-back scams to offer free home testing kits, promote bogus cures, sell health insurance, and promise financial relief. They are out to steal money or sensitive personal information.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is urging everyone to be wary of phone calls and text messages that purport to be from WHO asking for money or your account information.

Robocalls purporting to offer free virus test kits are an effort to collect consumers’ personal and health insurance information. Others are marketing fake cures and asking over the phone for payment.

Another robocall message purports to be from the U.S. Department of Health, warning of an outbreak “in your area.” The message recommends getting a vaccine and offers to connect you to a “health advisor.”

Fraudsters are also preying on personal financial fears tied to the pandemic. The Federal Communication Commission (www.fcc.gov) is aware of robocall scams with COVID-19 themed work-from-home opportunities, debt consolidation offers, and student loan repayment plans.

Many consumers are receiving checks as part of the federal government response to the coronavirus. No government representative will call or text you to verify your personal information or bank account details to “release” the funds. The Treasury Department expects most people to receive their payments via direct deposit to the address that department has on file from prior tax filings.

Small businesses are also receiving scam calls about virus-related funding or loans and online listing verification.

The FCC offers the following tips to help you protect yourself from scams, including coronavirus scams:

*Do not respond to calls or texts from unknown numbers, or any others that appear suspicious.

*Never share your personal or financial information via email, text messages, or over the phone.

*Be cautious if you are being pressured to share any information or make a payment immediately.

*Scammers often spoof phone numbers to trick you into answering or responding.  Remember that government agencies will never call you to ask for personal information or money.

*Do not click any links in a text message. If a friend sends you a text with a suspicious link that seems out of character, call them to make sure they were not hacked.

*Always check on a charity (for example, by calling or looking at its actual website before donating.

*For more information about scam calls and texts, visit the FCC Consumer Help Center and the FCC Scam Glossary. You can also file a complaint about such scams at http://www.fcc.gov/complaints.

*The Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Food & Drug Administration have also posted consumer warnings about fake websites and phishing emails used to promote bogus COVID-19 products.

If you think you have been a victim of a coronavirus scam, contact local law enforcement and the Federal Communication Commission, http://www.fcc.gov.

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