As readers know, I absolutely loathe scammers and their schemes. With the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continuing to impact the United States, phone and internet scammers have seized the opportunity to prey on consumers. Moreover, our Tennessee-North Georgia region is also beset by these scumbags following the recent spate of tornadoes, too.
The Federal Communications Commission has received reports of scam and hoax text message campaigns and scam robocalls offering free home testing kits, promoting bogus cures, selling health insurance, and preying on virus-related fears. Do not click on links in texts related in any way to the virus and do check cdc.gov/coronavirus for the most current information.
These swindles may falsely advertise a cure or an offer to be tested for coronavirus. Some text scams are impersonating government agencies. In fact, the FCC recently learned of a text scam claiming to be from the "FCC Financial Care Center" that offered $30,000 in COVID-19 relief. NOT. The text is probably a phishing attempt to get banking or other personal information from victims - and all of us know better. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) also warns of a text message scam impersonating the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that supposedly informs recipients that they must take a "mandatory online COVID-19 test" using the included link.
Text message hoaxes may claim that the government will order a mandatory national two-week quarantine or instruct you to go out and stock up on supplies. The messages can appear to be from a "next door neighbor." The National Security Council tweeted these are fake. FEMA is tracking rumors and reminds consumers to always check a trusted source. (Plus, too many folks "stocking up" deplete the shelves for the rest of us; Americans are advised to buy groceries only for the next week or possibly two.
Already the bane of most Americans' existence, robocallers are targeting consumers during this national emergency. For example, the World Health Organization recently issued a warning about criminals seeking to take advantage of the pandemic to steal money or sensitive personal information from consumers. It urges people to be wary of phone calls and text messages that purport to be from the WHO or charity organizations that request account information or money.
The FCC has received reports of - those fiends again - robocalls claiming to offer free virus test kits, in an effort to once again collect consumers' personal and health insurance information. As if these crooks don't already have a heart of stone, now they're going after higher risk individuals with diabetes, offering a free COVID-19 testing kit along with a free diabetic monitor. Other robocalls are marketing fake cures and asking for payment over the phone.
Fraudsters are also making robocalls to offer HVAC duct cleaning as a way to "protect" our homes and family from the virus. Pu'leeze.
Additionally, charlatans are preying on financial fears tied to the pandemic. The FCC is aware of robocall scams to consumers and small businesses with COVID-19 themed work-from-home opportunities, student loan repayment plans, and debt consolidation offers.
Many consumers will (or have) receive checks as part of the federal government response to the coronavirus. No one will call or text you to verify your personal information or bank account details in order to "release" the funds. The Treasury Department expects most people to receive their payments via direct-deposit information that the department has on file from prior tax filings.
If you think you've been a victim of a coronavirus scam, contact law enforcement immediately and follow the FCC's tip line. Please note, these warnings are actually what I've advised in the past for "regular" self-protection and which I feel sure many of you already follow: A) Do not respond to calls or texts from unknown numbers, or any others that appear suspicious; B) Never share your personal or financial information via email, text messages, or over the phone; C) Be cautious if you're being pressured to share any information or make a payment immediately; D) Scammers often spoof phone numbers to trick you into answering or responding. Remember that government agencies will never call you to ask for personal information or money; E) Never click any links in a text message. If a friend sends you a text with a suspicious link that seems out of character, call the individual to make sure no hacking is going on; and F) Always check on a charity before donating by calling or looking at its actual website. Don't forget the best site around to decipher the worst, better, and best organizations for which to donate is charitynavigator.org.
Keep your mask and gloves on, practice self-distancing, and we'll get through this terrible crisis.
Contact Ellen Phillips at consumerwatch@timesfreepress.com.