It may not be a surprise, but scammers are posing as contact tracers to get your personal identifying information during the COVID-19 health crisis. They're looking for social security numbers or financial information, such as your bank account number.
If someone contacts you and asks for this personal information - they're posing! HANG UP immediately. Help your friends, parents or grandparents know legitimate contact tracers will contact you if you've: 1) tested positive for COVID-19 or 2) if you've been identified as a close contact of someone who's tested positive. And when they ask you for information, they'll ask for: Your name. Your date of birth. Places you've been. How you're feeling. The people you've been in contact with for more than 15 min., up to 48 hours before you had symptoms - OR - they'll let you know if you may have been exposed to the virus & what you can do. Help us keep our communities safe by sharing this alert. To learn more about this scam, click here.
The Office of Inspector General recognizes that we are facing unprecedented times and is alerting the public about potential fraud schemes related to economic stimulus programs offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration in response to the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19). The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the largest financial assistance bill to date, includes provisions to help small businesses. Fraudsters have already begun targeting small business owners during these economically difficult times. Be on the lookout for grant fraud, loan fraud, and phishing.
Some tips:
- Learn how to tell the difference between a real contact tracer and a scammer. Legitimate tracers need health information, not money or personal financial information.
- Don’t respond to texts, emails or calls about checks from the government. Here’s what you need to know.
- Ignore offers for vaccinations and home test kits. Scammers are selling products to treat or prevent COVID-19 without proof that they work.
- Be wary of ads for test kits. Most test kits being advertised have not been approved by the FDA, and aren’t necessarily accurate.
- 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.
As always, you may get email from friends, colleagues, associates and family members that did not originate with them. If you get an unanticipated email with an attachment, link or request for funds please: 1. Check the return email address to ensure it is legit; 2. If you are at all suspicious, email the person separately and ask if the email is legit; 3. Never open attachments, pdf files or links without being absolutely sure you know what it is.
Do not let yoru guard down!