The Coronavirus is an ideal breeding ground for scam artists in that the two most important ingredients of an effective scam are fear and confusion. In time of uncertainty people are much more susceptible to scams and fake products. Fraudsters are tapping their creative abilities to take money and information from people who are worried and/or in need. Security professionals are saying this is the tip of the iceberg. Each person needs to be vigilant in their own daily life and the daily lives of their loved-ones. Note be wary of ANY business, charity or individual requesting payments in cash, by wire transfer or gift cards.
The scams and fraud fall into three categories: telephone, computer/devices and in-person.
Telephone:
In some states, callers say they are from the power company telling them that due to the epidemic they will receive a rebate for extra electricity used. They then ask for personal financial information so they can give them the “rebate.” As most know, no utility company will call to give rebates or reimbursements over the phone. Another common scam are callers claiming to be representatives from Medicare and Medicaid offering COVID-19 tests for “FREE” if you just pay $4.95 for shipping. The tests never arrive. Other local telephone scams include a caller offering full cleaning and disinfecting air ducts by highly trained technicians for only $79.
Computer/Devices/Emails:
The FBI, Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the WHO are investigating many claims of scammers sending out emails impersonating these organization and spreading incorrect information about COVID-19. The World Health Organization (WHO) is among the most-impersonated organization in these campaigns. Fraudsters pretend to offer important information about the virus in an attempt to get potential victims to click on malicious links. Typically, such links can install malware, steal personal information and/or attempt to capture login and password information. Other scam emails involve airline refunds, testing kits, vaccines, fake cures, general financial relief and dire charitable requests. IBM Security recently discovered a particularly malicious email that mimics the WHO saying they can provide you prevention drugs, test kits and cures. An offshoot is an email from the “WHO” asking for donations. In the test kit scam, after paying the fee the person is told to go to a specific site, but of course, once they arrive the learn there is no test.
There are many malicious websites popping up that offer information and/or products in high demand. They only want to get your personal or financial information or to put their virus into your computer.
Android devices seem to be particularly vulnerable to malware attacks allowing scammers to spy through your smartphone camera, listen to you through the microphone and read text messages. To get into your phone the scammers send out a text message with a link promising an app that will allow you to track the virus. Once you click on the message the malware installs itself on your phone.
Stay away from all of these.
In-person:
There are now cases of people dressed in lab coats approaching homes in Florida, and possibly other states, saying they are from the state’s health department or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Actually, they‘re attempting to rob the house once inside, and
sometimes do it by force. The actual procedure for the Florida Department of Health is that when they receive notification that a person has tested positive, they conduct an extensive epidemiological investigation in conjunction with the CDC. The people affected are then notified by their county health department and instructed to self-isolate for 14 days. They stress that all DOH staff have a badge displayed. If a person is approached by anyone claiming to work for the Florida Department of Health or dressed in protective gear, they should ask for identification and verification and contact their local sheriff’s or police office.
How to Protect Yourself and Your Family:
In this time of crisis, people are desperate to take care of themselves and their families. Desperation leads to poor decisions. Don’t be taken in by these very sophisticated scams and frauds. Protect your loved-ones now! Tell them:
- Don’t click on links from any sources they don’t know
- Be concerned about emails “from” government organizations such as the CDC and the WHO. Don’t click on links in the email
- Don’t succumb to the offers for vaccinations. There are no vaccines, pills, potions, lotions, lozenges or other prescriptions or over-the-counter products available to treat or cure this virus – online or in stores
- Don’t give your personal information! Legitimate organizations will not ask for any of these:
- Social security number
- Credit card numbers
- User names or passwords – even one-time passwords
- PIN information
- Payment through Bitcoin, money cards, gift cards, Western Union money wire transfers
During this crisis provide comfort to the seniors in your life safe and make sure they are as safe from fraud and scams as possible. And, if you need help from The Seniors’ Answer, please call us – we are open and here for you.
If you have questions or need information about your loved-one’s life management issues don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We love helping our clients get the information and assistance they need from personal issues to daily money management, home management and more. Call me at 305-646-1833 or email me at Corrine@theseniorsanswer.com.
