Watch Out for These Coronavirus, Stimulus Package Scams

As devastating as the coronavirus has been around the globe, it’s incredible that there are still scammers out there taking advantage of vulnerable people. Here are just a few examples of the scams out there right now related to COVID-19 and the related stimulus package from Congress—and how you can protect yourself.

1. “Click here to verify your identity.” The Better Business Bureau shared news about messages sent by social media and text that ask the recipient to click on a link to verify their identity. Don’t do it! Scammers are using this to steal information from you and download malware to your electronic device. If you get a phone call asking for this information, hang up. The federal government will not contact you for your information and also will not ask you to pay money upfront in advance of receiving your stimulus check. Here are a few more details.

2.  “Get a home test kit for coronavirus.” As of this time, there is not yet a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-authorized home test kit for the virus, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). 

3. “Get vaccinated for the coronavirus.” There is no vaccine available yet. Don’t pay money to a person or company offering you this. 

4. “Click on this link for the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus.” Be wary of emails that say they are from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or experts who say they have virus information, the FTC warns. Clicking on those links could be a way to try and steal personal information or download something on your computer. Instead, visit reliable websites yourself, such as the CDC.gov or the World Health Organization’s website (WHO.int) to keep up with the latest virus information.

There also are websites with the coronavirus name but that are apparently dangerous if you click on them, according to an article from Forbes.com. For instance, they may put a virus (an electronic virus) on your device. Some of these names include coronavirus.app, coronavirus-map.com, and vaccine-coronavirus.com. You can find more names in the article.

Here are a few tips to help keep yourself safe from scams:

  • Read website names carefully when you receive an email or text. A scammer may use a .com address instead of a .org address to falsely represent organizations such as the CDC.
  • Watch out for emails offering information or treatment related to COVID-19. Be especially cautious if these emails request personal information from you or your family.
  • Don’t click on links or open attachments from unknown sources.

For more information, here is an article from the FTC about coronavirus-related scams and what the FTC and the FDA are doing to target scammers. Also, here is information from Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody about coronavirus scams.

Call Secure Aging to Find Out How We Can Help Seniors With Care Management

At Secure Aging in Bradenton, we transform the weight of the world into a sigh of relief for our senior clients and their concerned family members. The mission of Secure Aging is to protect and preserve our client’s independence and dignity through careful and thoughtful financial and care management. As our clients age, it is their desire to remain independent and age with dignity. Our services protect our clients from talented con artists looking to exploit and deplete the financial resources of our vulnerable seniors. Secure Aging helps families in Manatee County and Sarasota County and in and around the communities of Anna Maria, Bradenton, Bradenton Beach, Ellenton, Holmes Beach, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat Key, Myakka City, Palmetto, Parrish, and Sarasota. Call us at 941-761-9338, or visit us online at www.secureaging.com.

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