SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is an inactive attorney in San Mateo County, California.

February 24, 2021

FREE VIRUS TEST KITS SCAM

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the United States, scammers have seized the opportunity. They are using robocalls and call-back scams to offer free home testing kits.

Fraudsters are preying on financial fears tied to the pandemic.

Reports have also been received about robocalls purporting to offer free virus test kits. This is an effort to collect consumers’ personal and health insurance information. One version of this scam targets higher risk individuals with diabetes, offering a free COVID-19 testing kit along with a free diabetic monitor.

Government Checks

Many consumers are receiving checks as part of the federal government response to the coronavirus. No government person will call or text you to verify your personal information or bank account details to “release” the funds.

The Federal Communications Commission 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.

Phony Charity

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

If you think you have been a victim of a coronavirus scam, contact local law enforcement and file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission www.ftc.gov immediately.

ATTRIBUTION: FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION