Mainstreet Daily News
The Department of Treasury has started sending out electronic payments to individuals as part of the CARES Act. As a result, we have been alerted to fraudulent emails and phone calls individuals are receiving saying they are from the Treasury or banks asking for updated account information so they can deposit federal checks. These are scams. Please do not give out any personal information unless you contact the Treasury or your bank directly. Below are some other examples of the types of scams you should be on the lookout for:
- Malicious websites: with the purpose of infecting your device with malware.
- Spam emails: these emails try to grab your curiosity by using conspiracy themed catchphrases, such as “censored.”
- Phishing scams: these appear to come from organizations such as the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) or the WHO (World Health Organization).
- Fake charities: emails and websites that ask for charity donations for studies, doctors, or victims that have been affected by COVID -19.
- Fake internal communications – such as coronavirus surveys impersonating your HR or IT departments.
What the FTC is doing:
Avoid Coronavirus Scams
- 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. Use sites like coronavirus.gov and usa.gov/coronavirus 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.
What the FTC is Doing
The FTC and FDA have jointly issued warning letters to seven sellers of unapproved and misbranded products, claiming they can treat or prevent the Coronavirus. The companies’ products include teas, essential oils, and colloidal silver.
Stay Connected
Like what you see?
- Bookmark this site (ftc.gov/coronavirus) to check back for updates.
- Subscribe to alerts for consumers and businesses to keep up with the latest scams.
- Like our FTC Facebook page.
- Follow @FTC for the latest tweets from the FTC.
The FTC says the companies have no evidence to back up their claims — as required by law. The FDA says there are no approved vaccines, drugs or investigational products currently available to treat or prevent the virus. Read more about the warning letters.
Law Enforcement Actions
- FTC Warns Nine VoIP Service Providers and Other Companies against ‘Assisting and Facilitating’ Illegal Coronavirus-related Telemarketing Calls
- FTC, FDA Send Warning Letters to Seven Companies about Unsupported Claims that Products Can Treat or Prevent Coronavirus
Blog Posts
- Scammers are using COVID-19 messages to scam people
- Remote learning and children’s privacy
- Coronavirus checks: flattening the scam curve
- Avoiding SSA scams during COVID-19
- Avoid scams while finding help during quarantine
- The FTC keeps attacking robocalls
- Grandparent scams in the age of Coronavirus
- Small businesses: Where to go for financial relief information
- While you’re at home, spot the scams
- Want to get your Coronavirus relief check? Scammers do too.
- 60 and over in the time of COVID-19? Read on
- Socially distancing from COVID-19 robocall scams
- Thinking critically about Coronavirus news and information
- Seven Coronavirus scams targeting your business
- Now more than ever, spot the scams with #FTCScamBingo
- FTC: Coronavirus scams, Part 2
- Online security tips for working from home
- Checks from the government
- FTC & FDA: Warnings sent to sellers of scam Coronavirus treatments
- Coronavirus: Scammers follow the headlines
- FTC, FDA warn companies making Coronavirus claims
Scammy Calls About the Coronavirus
- Fake tests for Medicare recipients
- Free test kit scam
- Sanitation supplies
- Health insurance pitches
- Mortgage scam
- Social Security Administration scam
- Small business listing scam
Recordings courtesy of Nomorobo.
Related Articles
Subscribe
0 Comments