Avoid COVID-19 Scams

We would also like to remind our members to remain alert for cyber scams related to COVID-19. Fraudsters may send emails with malicious attachments or links to fraudulent websites to con victims into disclosing confidential information or donating to fraudulent charities or causes. Please be cautious in handling any email with a COVID-19-related subject line, attachment, or hyperlink, and be wary of social media pleas, texts or calls related to COVID-19. You can learn more from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency at www.cisa.gov.

How to Protect Yourself

• Don’t respond to texts, emails or calls about checks from the government. The details are still coming together.
• Ignore online offers for vaccinations and home test kits. There are no products proven to treat or prevent COVID-19 at this time.
• Hang up on robocalls. Scammers are using illegal robocalls to pitch everything from low-priced health insurance to work-at-home schemes.
• Watch for emails claiming to be from the CDC or WHO. Visit coronavirus.gov to get the latest information. And don’t click on links from sources you don’t know.
• Do your homework when it comes to donations. Never donate in cash, by gift card or by wiring money.

To learn more about scams or file a complaint. visit ftc.gov/coronavirus.