Avoid COVID-19 Scams

We care about your safety. Please read the information below to protect yourself against scammers. The following information was provided by The U.S. Attorney’s office for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

They are getting reports of scammers using email phishing schemes to commit fraud and crimes.

The emails claim to be from legitimate health organizations, seeking donations for illegitimate or non-existent charitable organizations. They also try to sell you counterfeit virus test kits.

Please be aware of these crimes. If you see fraudulent attempts or if you are a victim, please make a report to any of the agencies listed below:

FBI: https://www.ic3.gov or 412-432-4000

or

COVID-19 Fraud Coordinator, Senior Litigation Counsel Shaun Sweeney - email USAPAW.COVID19@usdog.gov or call 412-644-3500

or

Federal Trade Commission: https://www.ftc.gov

Avoid Coronavirus Scams

Scammers are taking advantage of fears surrounding the Coronavirus. They’re setting up websites to sell bogus products and using fake emails, texts, and social media posts as a ruse to take your money and get your personal information. The emails and posts may be promoting awareness and prevention tips and fake information about cases in your neighborhood. They also may be asking you to donate to victims, offering advice on unproven treatments, or contain malicious email attachments. Some examples of COVID-19 scams include:

Treatment scams

Scammers are offering to sell fake cures, vaccines, and advice on unproven treatments for COVID-19.

Supply scams

Scammers are creating fake shops, websites, social media accounts, and email addresses claiming to sell medical supplies currently in high demand, such as surgical masks. When consumers attempt to purchase supplies through these channels, fraudsters pocket the money and never provide the promised supplies.

Provider scams

Scammers are also contacting people by phone and email, pretending to be doctors and hospitals that have treated a friend or relative for COVID-19, and demanding payment for that treatment.

Charity scams

Scammers are soliciting donations for individuals, groups, and areas affected by COVID-19.

Phishing scams

Scammers posing as national and global health authorities, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are sending phishing emails designed to trick recipients into downloading malware or providing personal identifying and financial information.

App scams

Scammers are also creating and manipulating mobile apps designed to track the spread of COVID-19 to insert malware that will compromise users’ devices and personal information.

Investment scams

Scammers are offering online promotions on various platforms, including social media, claiming that the products or services of publicly traded companies can prevent, detect, or cure COVID-19 and that the stock of these companies will dramatically increase in value as a result. These promotions are often styled as “research reports,” make predictions of a specific “target price,” and relate to microcap stocks or low-priced stocks issued by the smallest of companies with limited publicly available information.

Protect Yourself by: 

• Independently verify the identity of any company, charity, or individual that contacts you regarding COVID-19.
• Check the websites and email addresses offering information, products, or services related to COVID-19. Be aware that scammers often employ addresses that differ only slightly from those belonging to the entities they are impersonating. For example, they might use “cdc.com” or “cdc.org” instead of “cdc.gov.”
• Be wary of unsolicited emails offering information, supplies, or treatment for COVID-19 or requesting your personal information for medical purposes. Legitimate health authorities will not contact the general public this way. 
• Do not click on links or open email attachments from unknown or unverified sources. Doing so could download a virus onto your computer or device. 
• Make sure the anti-malware and anti-virus software on your computer is operating and up to date. 
• Ignore offers for a COVID-19 vaccine, cure, or treatment. Remember, if there is a medical breakthrough, you won’t hear about it for the first time through an email, online ad, or unsolicited sales pitch. 
• Check online reviews of any company offering COVID-19 products or supplies. Avoid companies whose customers have complained about not receiving items. 
• Research any charities or crowdfunding sites soliciting donations in connection with COVID-19 before giving. Remember, an organization may not be legitimate even if it uses words like “CDC” or “government” in its name or has reputable looking seals or logos on its materials. For online resources on donating wisely, visit the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website. 
• Be wary of any business, charity, or individual requesting payments or donations in cash, by wire transfer, gift card, or through the mail. Don’t send money through any of these channels. 
• Be cautious of “investment opportunities” tied to COVID-19, especially those based on claims that a small company’s products or services can help stop the virus. If you decide to invest, carefully research the investment beforehand.

For information on how to avoid investment fraud, visit the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) website.

For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) websites.