COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS- Beware of Scammers

Scammers try to take advantage of current disasters and events in the news to get your identity or your money. They may play on your sympathy to give a donation to a charity (which is a fake set up by the scammer). Or they may take advantage of the potential of a worldwide virus to play on your fear.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is warning consumers about scammers trying to take advantage of the steady stream of news about the coronavirus and the potential fear that the news might generate. The FTC warns that scammers are setting up websites to sell bogus products that claim to cure or prevent the COVID-19 coronavirus.

The FTC expects that scammers will use emails, texts, and social media to promote their fake cures and web sites. The emails, texts, and posts may use the guise of promoting awareness and prevention tips and may provide fake information about cases in your neighborhood. The emails may also ask for donations, offer advice, or contain malicious email attachments.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that there is currently no vaccine for the COVID-19 Coronavirus. Scientists worldwide are working on a vaccine, but the current outbreak will probably run its course before drug companies can get it into common usage.

The FTC recommends that you take the following measures to prevent yourself from being scammed,

·         Do not click on links from sources that you are not familiar with.

·         Watch out for emails claiming to be from the CDC or that claim to be from “experts” who have vital information about the virus.

·         Ignore online offers for vaccines or ads promoting prevention, treatment, or cure claims. These ads may claim a “medical breakthrough” that is being exclusively offered to you. Before taking up an offer, check with the CDC or the World Health Organization (WHO) about latest developments on a vaccine.

·         If considering donating to a charity related to the coronavirus find out if the charity is registered with the Washington State Secretary of State. Do not consider a donation if someone wants only cash, gift cards or wiring of money.

·         Be skeptical of “investment opportunities” related to the coronavirus. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is warning consumers about scammers who are claiming that products or services of publicly traded companies can prevent, detect, or cure coronavirus and that the stocks of these companies will increase in value as a result.

Federal Trade Commission:

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/02/coronavirus-scammers-follow-headlines

Here is a reminder on how to avoid phishing scams from the FTC:

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-avoid-phishing-scams



CDC:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2Fabout%2Fprevention.html



WHO:

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019



To look find out if a charity is registered with the State of Washington go to,

Washington State Secretary of State:

https://www.sos.wa.gov/charities/



SEC:

https://www.sec.gov/oiea/investor-alerts-and-bulletins/ia_coronavirus