Others have been asking for donations to fund vaccine research. Some scammers have been claiming a vaccine is available (it is not) or that you can pre-pay to ensure you will receive one first (you cannot). Also, no one will be coming to your home to administer a test. You cannot purchase Covid-19 test kits, and you should not give out personal information or health insurance details in exchange for one. And if you see one, you can report it to your local police or to ftc.gov/complaint. WATCH FOR THESE COMMON COVID-19-RELATED SCAMS. If you have questions or are unsure, ask a family member or call your local police department or state fraud hotline before you take any action.ĥ. Government agencies, financial institutions and other legitimate organizations will not reach out to you by phone, email or text.
Scammers are claiming they can provide medical discounts, free and reduced rates on personal protective equipment (PPE), even early federal stimulus checks.ĭon’t give out banking or credit card information or provide them with any personal information. DON’T GIVE OUT PERSONAL INFORMATION TO ANYONE UNTIL YOU VERIFY WHO THEY ARE AND IF THEY ARE LEGITIMATE. So if you’re unsure, check with that person before clicking a link, or use sites like and usa.gov/coronavirus to get the latest information.Ĥ. Scammers can even make it appear as if the message is coming from someone you know, including the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) or World Health Organization (WHO).
You’ve likely heard this one before, but clicking links can expose your device to a variety of harmful software and malware. NEVER CLICK ON LINKS IN EMAILS OR TEXTS UNLESS YOU VERIFY THE SENDER. Ask someone to leave you information on your doorstep or in your mailbox, or simply don’t answer the door.ģ. IF YOU DON’T RECOGNIZE A PERSON AT YOUR DOOR, YOU DON’T NEED TO OPEN IT OR ACKNOWLEDGE YOU ARE HOME. If it’s someone you need to speak with, they’ll leave a message.Īnswering these calls may seem harmless, but often even pushing a number during the call can release personal information.Ģ. It’s ok to let the call go to your answering machine or voicemail. IF YOU DON’T RECOGNIZE A NUMBER CALLING YOU, DON’T ANSWER THE PHONE. In the meantime, stick with these important guidelines and reminders:ġ. You can join the Traditions Facebook Event with this link.
Learn about common scams, what to look for if you or a loved one is a victim, and get your questions answered.
So how do you guard against falling victim to a scam? Please join us Tuesday, April 14 from noon to 1pm for a Facebook Webinar that covers Senior Scams and How to Avoid Them. Since information about Covid-19 is evolving daily, this leaves a lot of room for scammers to step in with what can appear to be answers. A definite blessing of perspective.īut on the downside, this is when perpetrators can prey on the public’s fear, distraction and confusion.
In turbulent times, we are focused on the things that matter most: the health and well being of our loved ones and ourselves. A round-up of some of the most important things to remember