As if the uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic weren’t enough, citizens face the additional onslaught of emerging scams that promise cures for the virus and seek to separate frightened people from their money.
While such fraud is on the rise across the country, Lt. Art Camacho, spokesman for the Davis Police Department, said his agency has not received any coronavirus-related scam reports thus far.
“The biggest thing we have is that people hear a neighbor coughing and they call the police,” Camacho said.
Law-enforcement and consumer-protection agencies have identified four types of scams that people should avoid, many of which surfaced during prior viral outbreaks and have been fine-tuned to take advantage of COVID-19 fears. They include (source: SocialCatfish.com):
* Family scams: Grandparent and family scams often occur at night and target older adults. You will answer your phone and hear someone saying, “Grandma?” or “Grandpa?” Maybe you’re a little tired, as it’s the evening and you don’t think twice when they ask you for a loan.
They’ll say that they’ve contracted the virus and are homebound and in quarantine. They will ask you to send them a gift card online, immediately, so they can buy delivery food or supplies. You’ll be upset and do so, without thinking twice. The caller will actually be a scammer and keep your money.
How to avoid: Always check your caller ID to make sure it is actually your loved one calling you. If you feel like scammers are masking the caller ID to make it seem like it’s your loved one, call them back on their trusted phone number to verify it’s them. Don’t send money over the phone, even if it is someone you think you trust, and always give it to them in person.
* Quack alert: You might love natural products, but if people are trying to sell you colloidal silver or aromatherapy to combat the virus, you’re being scammed. There are currently no viable antibiotics for the coronavirus and natural products are not, in any way, proven to fight this illness.
The Federal Trade Commission is compiling these fraudulent scams and products and has released a list: www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/03/ftc-fda-warnings-sent-sellers-scam-coronavirus-treatment.
You might see these scam products shared on social media with testimonials or warnings about the disease; don’t fall for them and keep your money for items you might actually need if you’re sick (like tissues or face masks).
How to avoid: Do not believe anyone who says they have found a natural remedy to cure the coronavirus. Chances are they just want to sell you fake products so that they can take your hard-earned money to leave you broke and sick. The only ways to get better from the coronavirus are to get rest, go to the doctor, and stay hydrated.
* Fake vaccines: You love your friends and family and don’t want them to fall ill. However, if you are asked to contribute to a fund to develop a vaccine to fight against coronavirus, that’s a scam.
You might even receive a “secret” call, email or text about a supposed government vaccine that only you and a select few are privy to. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is, especially in regards to the coronavirus. Don’t give the solicitor your credit card information.
How to avoid: Don’t listen to anyone who asks you for money over the phone, no matter the excuse. If someone you don’t know asks for money over the phone, chances are they’re likely a scammer trying to steal your money. Hospitals and universities will be the ones to help fund vaccines and research to try to find a cure, and they won’t bug people on the phone to help them.
* Fake CDC and WHO emails: You receive a fake email that looks legitimate. It reads as if it were sent from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the World Health Organization and might link to a product that will “help you.” However, the email is actually a scam and not really sent by the organization it appears to be from.
How to avoid: Don’t click on any email that claims it has a product to help cure you of the coronavirus. The cure will be on legitimate news pages before an email gets sent out listing a cure for this illness. If you still aren’t sure of whether to trust the email, look at the “reply to” email address and all hyperlinks in the email. They will link you to outside websites that are not secure and can collect all your financial data or download malware.
If you encounter a coronavirus scam, contact your local law enforcement agency or file a complaint with the FTC at www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov or by phone at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).
If you think your information was compromised (financial and personal data), check your credit report and request a credit freeze.