Avoiding coronavirus fake offers
As the coronavirus pandemic spreads, Americans’ uncertainty and fear grows, opening the door the scammers to prey on the vulnerable. During this stressful time, consumers must be alert to avoid falling for scams. Below are some tips to help identify and avoid scams.
Get your stimulus check today
As soon as the stimulus package was approved, scammers were quick to send out fake economic impact checks asking consumers to pay fees to get their money earlier than scheduled. These false claims open consumers to the risk of identity theft by stealing sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers or bank account numbers. Scammers might contact potential victims via telephone, text message or email, posing as Federal employees and asking for sensitive information before sending over the stimulus check.
Identifying the scam: Anyone who claims they can get you your stimulus money fast is definitely a scammer, according to the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC states that no action is required to receive your stimulus check and you should not give your personal information to anyone claiming that you need to provide details before receiving your payout.
As soon as the stimulus package was approved, scammers were quick to send out fake economic impact checks asking consumers to pay fees to get their money earlier than scheduled. These false claims open consumers to the risk of identity theft by stealing sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers or bank account numbers. Scammers might contact potential victims via telephone, text message or email, posing as Federal employees and asking for sensitive information before sending over the stimulus check.
Identifying the scam: Anyone who claims they can get you your stimulus money fast is definitely a scammer, according to the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC states that no action is required to receive your stimulus check and you should not give your personal information to anyone claiming that you need to provide details before receiving your payout.
Work-from-home job offers
With many people out of work and businesses closed, many are looking for ways to make money from home. Some work-from-home jobs can actually be scams. Scammers place ads for ways to make money, but when you inquire about it, you are asked to spend money on training or access for a job that does not exist. You may receive a call from someone claiming they have a job offer for you, asking for your personal information.
Identifying the scam: The FTC recommends doing your research before accepting any offer. Search the company’s names including keywords “scam,” “review” and “complaint.” They also recommend that you should never pay money to make money.
With many people out of work and businesses closed, many are looking for ways to make money from home. Some work-from-home jobs can actually be scams. Scammers place ads for ways to make money, but when you inquire about it, you are asked to spend money on training or access for a job that does not exist. You may receive a call from someone claiming they have a job offer for you, asking for your personal information.
Identifying the scam: The FTC recommends doing your research before accepting any offer. Search the company’s names including keywords “scam,” “review” and “complaint.” They also recommend that you should never pay money to make money.
Don’t go phishing
With people now working from home, scammers have stepped up their phishing attempts. They claim to be from an official department to offer IT support or claim your computer has a virus. Scammers may use scare tactics, stating your computer will crash if you don’t act immediately. This is an attempt to gain access to your computer and your personal information.
Identifying the scam: Most legitimate businesses have a policy that they do not ask you for personal information through email. Be very suspicious of a message that asks for personal information even if it might look legitimate. Phishing emails almost always try to get you to respond to the message or to click the link that is included. To increase the number of responses, criminals attempt to create a sense of urgency so that people immediately respond without thinking. For more information about phishing, read about our tips and tricks.
With people now working from home, scammers have stepped up their phishing attempts. They claim to be from an official department to offer IT support or claim your computer has a virus. Scammers may use scare tactics, stating your computer will crash if you don’t act immediately. This is an attempt to gain access to your computer and your personal information.
Identifying the scam: Most legitimate businesses have a policy that they do not ask you for personal information through email. Be very suspicious of a message that asks for personal information even if it might look legitimate. Phishing emails almost always try to get you to respond to the message or to click the link that is included. To increase the number of responses, criminals attempt to create a sense of urgency so that people immediately respond without thinking. For more information about phishing, read about our tips and tricks.
Buy your own COVID-19 test kit or vaccine
Scammers have been posting online offers for vaccinations and home test kits, with fake offers more prevalent in Washington, California and New York - the states with the highest rates of infections, CBS News reported.
Identifying the scam: Right now, there are no products that have been proven to treat or prevent COVID-19. There are no FDA-authorized coronavirus home test kits. If you see an offer for any product claiming to treat, prevent or test for the coronavirus, the offer is false.
Scammers have been posting online offers for vaccinations and home test kits, with fake offers more prevalent in Washington, California and New York - the states with the highest rates of infections, CBS News reported.
Identifying the scam: Right now, there are no products that have been proven to treat or prevent COVID-19. There are no FDA-authorized coronavirus home test kits. If you see an offer for any product claiming to treat, prevent or test for the coronavirus, the offer is false.
Donate to help coronavirus victims
Those with the financial means might look for ways to donate money to help healthcare workers, people who lost their jobs and those who were affected by the virus. There are scammers who are looking to take advantage of people’s generosity. Scammers are posing as charities to help coronavirus victims, CBS News reported. In these cases, they are asking for money up front as a donation.
Identifying the scam: Before donating to any charity, research it online to make sure it is legitimate. If someone tries to rush you to donate, that’s a sign of scam. Another sign of a fake charity is if they ask for donations via cash, gift card or money wire, according to the FTC.
Those with the financial means might look for ways to donate money to help healthcare workers, people who lost their jobs and those who were affected by the virus. There are scammers who are looking to take advantage of people’s generosity. Scammers are posing as charities to help coronavirus victims, CBS News reported. In these cases, they are asking for money up front as a donation.
Identifying the scam: Before donating to any charity, research it online to make sure it is legitimate. If someone tries to rush you to donate, that’s a sign of scam. Another sign of a fake charity is if they ask for donations via cash, gift card or money wire, according to the FTC.
Stocking up on supplies
Coronavirus-related supplies like masks, hand sanitizer and toilet paper are now in high demand and low supply, so scammers may advertise they have these supplies in stock. According to the FTC, scammers say they have supplies you need, but in honesty, it’s a ploy to take your order, steal your credit card number and run.
Identifying the scam: Ads for toilet paper, antibacterial wipes or masks may lead you to a website that poses as a popular online retailer. It’s important to double-check the URL before entering any credit card information. Only buy from trusted websites and retailers.
Coronavirus-related supplies like masks, hand sanitizer and toilet paper are now in high demand and low supply, so scammers may advertise they have these supplies in stock. According to the FTC, scammers say they have supplies you need, but in honesty, it’s a ploy to take your order, steal your credit card number and run.
Identifying the scam: Ads for toilet paper, antibacterial wipes or masks may lead you to a website that poses as a popular online retailer. It’s important to double-check the URL before entering any credit card information. Only buy from trusted websites and retailers.
