Unfortunately, with the onset of any crisis, natural, global or otherwise, there will always be predators waiting to take advantage of vulnerable people. The best way to protect yourself is to stay informed on active scams, ways to protect yourself, and how to get help if you think you’ve been scammed.
Counterfeit high demand products
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, as a country, we experienced panic buying. To protect themselves and their families, people excessively stocked items they thought they’d need during lockdown like toilet paper, non-perishables, masks, hand soap, and hand sanitizer. As the country has settled into quarantine, some of these items have returned to shelves and some are still in short supply.
Scammers take advantage of the low supplies of N95 protective masks and hand sanitizer by claiming they can provide you with these supplies. Once payment has been provided, customers receive products that don’t meet the FDA’s required standards for the items purchased or don’t receive any items at all.
If ordering online, be sure to pay with a credit card. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers protection under federal law for these types of transactions that help you dispute the charges to get your money back.
Check out the terms of sale. Return policies, hidden fees, and refunds can often catch people off guard after purchase when they find they’ve received an item that doesn’t meet the description or don’t receive the items at all.
Bogus remedies and vaccinations
At the time we are writing this, there is no known vaccinations or remedies for COVID-19. While those who are sick from the virus are recovering, their recovery is not related to any FDA approved drug, topical, or vaccination.
Many companies are circulating emails, ads, text messages, or phone calls claiming that their product or vaccination cures, protects against, or prevents coronavirus. Among these products, you’ll find teas, essential oils, cannabinol, colloidal silver, vitamin C treatments, topical creams, sprays, and even nonexistent vaccinations.
These claims are dangerous and untrue. Taking or using non-FDA approved products can be hazardous because their contents and ingredients are not regulated and tested under the FDA’s strict safety standards. If you are unsure if a product you’re taking or using is safe, check if the product is FDA approved or contact your doctor.
The best way to protect yourself from this scam is to keep up to date on the latest drug and vaccination developments through the FDA and the CDC.
Phishing scams
Phishing scams are a common and real way for scammers to get ahold of your sensitive personal information such as your credit card numbers, account information, social security information, phone number and much more.
Phishing scams are typically formatted on a digital medium such as text messages, emails, webpage downloads, app downloads, or even social media messages. The goal for these scammers is to encourage you to click a link. Once you’ve clicked this link, an automatic download will begin that adds malware to your smartphone, computer, or other devices. This malware collects sensitive personal information and data to be sent back to the scammer for their use.
These scams typically try to get you to click their dangerous link by developing a story or masquerading as a company that you trust. For example, these scammers might send you a personal message from your friend’s Facebook account that they’ve already gained access to claiming that a private video or image has been posted publicly. They might also email you posing as a bank claiming that your bank account has fraudulent charges to convince you to click their link to remedy the situation.
In the coronavirus age, these phishing emails often pose as news sources or official government websites such as the CDC containing a link to subscribe to a website or email list to get the latest COVID-19 news or to check out their latest COVID-19 related product. The best place to find the most up to date information on COVID-19 is to check with coronavirus.gov or the CDC’s website regularly.
These phishing scams might also come in the form of virus trackers. Avoid clicking links or downloading apps that claim to provide you insight on if you’ve been in contact with someone who’s been infected. Many of these links or apps are malicious or aren’t able to provide you with the information they claim to have.
Protect your information by doing research on and avoiding clicking links from suspicious or non-credible sources. While these emails, texts, and messages might be tough to spot. Always use caution and research before you click.
Fake charity organizations
In times like these, many people feel compelled to help others. For many, this means monetary charitable donations. Before you donate, it’s important to understand that not all charities are created equal. In fact, some are flat out phony. Some scammers have hit new lows by posing as charities to take your hard-earned money.
A telltale sign in any situation that a scammer is trying to get your money is if they request that you pay them via gift card, cash, or wire transfer. This goes for donations too. A credible nonprofit organization will NEVER ask for cash, gift cards, or wire transfer donations.
These scammers are often very tricky to spot and might use shady tactics to get what they want from you. For example, they might pose as a family trying to pay for their loved one’s COVID-19 medical bills or even go as far as to create a fake brand name, logo, and domain name for their fraudulent charity.
The best way to prevent being a victim of this type of scam is to do extensive research on charities before donating money or sensitive information. Sites like the BBB Wise Giving Alliance and Charity Navigator can help you narrow down the search for a credible charity to support and provide you with secure ways of donating.
Stimulus check scam
With the first round of stimulus checks, there was an influx of scammers posing as the IRS. Some of these scammers claimed that by providing them with your social security number that they could expedite the acceptance process, get you your check faster, or provide you with more money. All of these claims are false.
Some of these scams have slowed down or disappeared, but new stimulus scams are beginning to crop up. With rumors circulating of a second round of stimulus payments being issued, keep in mind that a second economic-impact payment has not currently been approved and isn’t being sent to you at this time. Scammers might try to convince you otherwise to get your information.
During uncertain times, scammers have the chance to thrive and profit off of others. But Informed, up to date, knowledge is your greatest weapon to prevent yourself and your loved ones from becoming the victim of these scams. We can get through this together by spreading information on fraud prevention, protection, and stop these scams in their tracks.
For more credible information on active COVID-19 scams, we suggest the FTC, the FCC’s scam report, and the AARP fraud watch network.
If you think that you may have been the victim of a scam, please visit the FTC website for more information on how to report a scam and how to remedy your specific situation.
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