Remain vigilant against those taking advantage of the health care crisis and report suspicious contacts
compiled by E.E. Mullens
STATEWIDE — While a crisis like the COVID-19 virus brings out the best in some people, exampled by neighbors helping one another, and appreciation being shown to essential professions, there is also the downside of insidious scam artists and thieves spreading across the internet and phone services nearly as fast as the coronavirus itself.
Recently the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies and the state attorney general’s office have been working to identify the scams targeting residents of Colorado.
During times of emergencies or natural disasters, scammers seek to take advantage of vulnerable populations, and federal agencies are receiving reports about scams related to banking, financial services, insurance, healthcare services and more.
Scammers seek to get your personal financial or healthcare information, credit card information, social security number, or are seeking to sell you a false product. Below are some of the top COVID-related scams:
Banking/Financial Services Scams:
•Bank Deposit Seizures: Claims or assertions that consumer-insured bank deposits can be legally seized by banks is false. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) last week demanded Newsmax media “stop and correct its misleading advertising that falsely claims consumers’ FDIC-insured deposits are at risk of forfeiture” from a precious metals trader, Monetary Gold of Woodland Park, California. Federal law is clear that in the unlikely event of a bank failure, customers’ insured deposits would be fully protected up to the $250,000 limit.
•Fake Calls from the Feds: Calls posing as employees from federal agencies, such as the FDIC, who ask for sensitive information like your social security number and bank account information, are scams. The FDIC or any other agency would never make unsolicited phone calls.
•Student Loans: Calls or emails advising you that COVID-19 will have an impact on your student loans, urging you to contact a specific number or visit a website to determine your new payment, are likely a scam. These calls seek to gain your personal information, even when they call or email from what they claim to be your own bank. If you need to verify or have questions about your loan, contact your financial institution with a phone number or email you’ve independently verified.
Government sending checks to citizens:
• The government will not ask you to pay anything up front to get this money. No fees. No charges. No nothing. The government will not call to ask for your Social Security number, bank account, or credit card number. Anyone who does is a scammer. These reports of checks aren’t yet a reality. Anyone who tells you they can get you the money now is a scammer.
Investment scams:
• Scammers may call regarding money-making opportunities by investing in certain products or services of publicly traded companies that claim to prevent, detect or cure COVID-19. See a recent notice from the Colorado Division of Securities for more information.
Employment scams:
• According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), employment scams may kick into high gear surrounding the current COVID-19-related employment crisis. Read BBB’s tips for avoiding employment scams.
Healthcare Scams:
• Fake Test Kits: COVID-19 test kits are not for sale. Any advertisement or call you receive that claims to offer free testing kits, asking for your personal information or health insurance details, is a scam. At high risk to this scam are those considered more vulnerable to COVID-19 complications, including diabetics, those on Medicare or Medicaid, and individuals over 60.
Threats to Treat Coronavirus:
• Reports are coming out of callers who pose as healthcare providers claiming they are treating a relative for COVID-19 and demanding immediate payment for treatment or threatening legal action if you don’t pay.
Charity Scams:
• With all the relief efforts taking place right now, you may receive calls or emails from fake charities. If you want to donate to a specific charity, go directly to the organization’s website or call them in order to make direct donation arrangements.
Fake Online Stores:
• Scammers may create fake stores that appear in your social media feeds, the websites you visit, and via email addresses. They claim to sell medical supplies, test kits, cures or products that currently are in high demand. These fake stores may even use images of similar items or products you have searched for online. If you fall for a fake digital storefront and use your credit card for the “purchase,” contact your credit card company immediately.
Phishing, Malware & Apps:
• Phishing and malware scams are used to gain access to your computer or to steal your credentials. Prevent loading malicious software or downloading apps by never clicking on an unsolicited email or text from a company or organization before verifying the source, even if initially the source appears trustworthy or legitimate. For example, scammers may pose as national and global health authorities, or your financial institutions, and send emails and texts designed to trick you into downloading malware or providing your personal and financial information. Additionally, do not download apps designed to track the spread of COVID-19. It may be a front to gain access to your personal information.
The Bottom Line:
Be overly cautious of emails, texts, apps, advertisements or social media posts that may be selling fake products or information about emerging coronavirus cases. Learn to recognize numbers, emails and texts that may be spoofs, and avoid engaging scam callers by promptly hanging up.
Learn more about how to prevent, recognize, and report fraud and scams by visiting the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and Stop Fraud Colorado.
You may also contact your local law enforcement agencies or your local district attorney’s office.
