5 harsh covident scams you need to pay attention
What the doj, the FBI and the FTC want you to know about scammers for your money and personal information.
While a crisis like thecoronavirus pandemic Can bring out the best for people looking to help others, there are also those who benefit from confusion and chaos. With as much uncertainty in the world, as well as the evolving recommendations of most of us, most of us to continue, there are many opportunities for crooks to explain you money and personal informations. Fortunately, government agencies such as the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have published information to help consumers avoid these COVID scams. Read on to find out what you need to look for and how to keep your money hard-won. And for more false complaints, here isThe new myth face mask you have to stop believing.
1 Contact TRACER SCAMS
Real contact tracers are extremely important for coronavirus response. The trained individuals are responsible for reaching out the people that an infected person has come into contact with so that they know how to self-isolate and / or to be tested themselves. By the FTC,An approved tracer contact Can you ask for your name, details about your health and information about your movements so that they can continue to find positive cases. If a tracing contact asks you to any type of payment information, your social security number or your immigration status (the FTC points out that it does not have an interest in tracers), then you must hang up immediately and file a complaint with the FTC. In addition, do not click on a link or download sent by email from a supposed contact trace-it was an invasive program that accesses your private information. And for more information on how tracing work,It is who transmitting more than 50% of COVID cases..
2 Sales of fraudulent or non-existent protective equipment
At the end of March, the Federal Office of the Inquiry (FBI) issued a warning on theFraudulent sale of personal protective equipment (EPP), like desperate civilians and health care providers have attempted to store. Drug service providers have been warned to beware of "unusual payment terms, last minute price changes, last-minute excuses for delay in shipment" and "unexplained bulk source source" and beware Of all the sellers they had not worked with before. In addition, anyone who claims to have a product that can "prevent, treat, diagnose or cure Covid-19" should be avoided because there are no such products on the market.
In general, it is better to stick to the brands and suppliers you know and trust. The FBI also encourages that you report scams that you meet via their website. And for PPE,You should not wear one of them instead of a facial mask, CDC warns.
3 Scam test
The FTC notes that there isnoCOVID-19 test kits at home which have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Do not buy any products that clarifies diagnose coronavirus. In addition, the doj advises youNever give Medicare information By phone to anyone calls to offer free COVID supplies or tests.
4 Stimulus scams
The doj, there have been many applications, websites, mass messaging and robocalers who claim to represent the internal income service (IRS) and request personal information for access to stimulus. The IRS does not collect any information via one of these channels.
"Beware of calls that you have received an overpayment of stimulus money and requiring a" refund "of the difference," the agency said.
5 Charity
"The application of the law has seen an increase in social media scams and telephone calls for fraudulently donations for illegitimate or non-existing charities that ask you to enter your bank account information," says the doj . These emails can also invite you to click on a link that can download malware on your device.
To check for a non-profit organization that you have not heard about before, you can use sites likeCharity browser. With regard to crowdfunding, stick to well-known services and trust such asGofundy By giving your information directly to a lawyer. And for more information up to date,Sign up for our daily newsletter.