As we all do our part to cope with the COVID-19 outbreak, by staying indoors and avoiding contact with others, there are evil-doers in the world who kick into action when there is so much fear, vulnerability and unknown. That fear, the vulnerability and lack of knowledge makes us all easy targets, so BEWARE!
Following are some things to be on the lookout for:
PHONE SCAMS ABOUT A CORONAVIRUS STIMULUS CHECK
Scammers are calling claiming you qualify for $1,000 to $14,000 in relief from COVID0-19 from the federal government’s stimulus package, they claim it’s grant money.
If you get a suspicious call, remember this: if it sounds too good to be true, it is. Also, never pay money to get money, that’s a sure sign it’s a scam. Remember, there are no such grants related to the coronavirus for individuals, so that’s a sure sign this is a scammer trying to rip you off. HANG UP if you get this call.
FAKE PRODUCTS THAT CLAIM TO PREVENT OR CURE CORONAVIRUS
There will always be those scammers who claim to have the “cure” or a “miracle drug”, claiming the government or pharmaceutical companies are hiding them from the public.
Similarly, people who are selling face masks or personal protection equipment (PPE), such as surgical robes and gloves or TOILET PAPER! and charging exorbitant prices, are BREAKING the LAW. DO NOT BUY FROM THEM.
PHONE SCAMS ABOUT TESTING KITS AND VACCINES
THE FCC (Federal Communications Commission) is warning consumers about calls about testing kits and immunizations. People calling saying they are calling from the CDC (Center for Disease Control), offering to reserve a testing kit for them, and asking for your credit card and social security number, even threatening them with infection if they don’t pay $4000. There are no such kits or vaccines, and there is no such reserve list. HANG UP if you get this call.
SOCIAL SECURITY SCAMS RELATED TO CORONAVIRUS
If you receive a call from someone asking for your information, and warning you that they will be suspending your social security due to coronavirus, HANG UP. Remember, the U.S. Government will NEVER call you for your personal information or ask for money via a telephone call.