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Beware of Coronavirus Scams

 

During difficult times scammers are always ready to take advantage of people, especially our elderly. During the Coronavirus pandemic, social distancing, and subsequent self-quarantine we’re facing, now more than ever, it’s important to watch out for and be aware of scams that may be coming through our email, by phone, and even apps on our phones.

Where are the Scammers Targeting You?

1. Phone Apps
2. Email
3. By Phone

What to Look For

We all want the latest information on the Covid-19 virus. Since most of us have smart phones it’s often easy just to find an app so we have easier access to what interests us. We want to know the latest numbers; want to see maps showing infected areas; we just want to be in the know. It was reported a few days ago about an app available on Android that would provide a map and real-time tracking and information about the Coronavirus. This app is full of ransomware. I won’t mention the Android App in this blog but beware there is one.¹  As of today’s post, it seems that Android is aware of this app and has blocked it. If you search Coronvirus in the app store, they have a statement that basically says get your information from the World Health Organization website.

Since virtually everyone is staying home, I’m most concerned about the Phishing scams that come through email. Phishing scams have been around for a long time now, but the criminals keep getting better and better. You may see an uptick in emails and some of these will be phishing emails.

Some have been reported to target college students with emails posing as official communications from University staff. These emails offer updates about closures and other Covid-19 news but likely are fake. Also, emails may appear to be coming from major companies targeting those working from home. These scams hope to capture your user credentials to gain access to other parts of your computer. If you’re working from home, discuss with your employer about how they will be communicating with you during this work from home mandate. Most major companies and universities will provide important information via their intranet sites and won’t be emailing you directly.

Additionally, you may see very sophisticated emails that appear to be from the World Health Organization or the CDC. The links in these emails will take you to very official looking websites which prompt you to share personal information. The WHO and CDC WILL NOT be sending you an email.

Finally, another possible phishing scam that is bound to be coming is when the government starts issuing financial support checks to citizens. There may be emails coming out that will basically tell you that you can get your money quicker by clicking the links in the email. These official looking emails will look like they’re coming from the IRS or US Treasury, but these will be a complete scam.

While most of us are good at avoiding the telemarketing calls that are plaguing us right now, be on the look out for scams coming to our phones via phone calls. These often target the elderly and with the seriousness of this pandemic, they are likely to be offered products that are in short supply on the promise that they’ll receive them quickly, they buy now. They could be scammed out of money and not receive the products they thought they were getting. Also, these scammers could be pretending to work for hospitals who claim that a relative has fallen sick with the virus and request payment for their medical treatment.²

What you can do

1. Don’t download any apps on your phones purporting to provide Covid-19 maps, news, or statistics.
2. Delete any suspicious emails. Do not open any attachments or click on any links.
   • If an email asks for personal information that is a sign of a phishing email
   • Check the email address or link, sometimes it’s obvious that the email is fake, or the link is bogus.
   • Look for grammatical and spelling errors. If there are punctuation, spelling, or grammatical errors in the email it is likely a phishing email.
   • Generic greetings are a sign of a phishing email.
   • Any email that requires or insists that you “Act Now” is likely a phishing email.
3. Don’t click on Ads that may pop up on your computer about coronavirus cures or remedy’s. Doing so may lead to malware being downloaded to your computer.
4. Don’t answer any calls from numbers that you don’t recognize. If you do answer, hang up immediately if they start talking about the Coronavirus or Covid-19 and block the number.
5. Do reach out to those in your family that are most vulnerable to phishing scams. Remind our elderly relatives of what to look for so they don’t get scammed. Remind your children, even your young adult children that these scams are coming and to be watchful.
6. If you’re working from home or your college is currently closed, know how they will be communicating with you. Likely, it’s from an intranet site that you log into for information and not something that your employer or university would be emailing to you.

Hope these tips can help you stay financially safe during this unprecedented time. Our prayer is this virus starts to dissipate because of world-wide efforts to limit travel, practice social distancing, and eliminate large group gatherings. I’m confident that with the world coming together to solve this crisis a vaccine will be developed quickly so that we can all get back to living in and traveling around this beautiful world.

Until we’re able to #GetToABetterPlace please #WashyWashy!

 

Attributions

1. The Android App is mentioned in this article dated 3/16/2020 by Dan Goodin. https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2020/03/the-internet-is-drowning-in-covid-19-related-malware-and-phishing-scams/
2. https://www.interpol.int/en/News-and-Events/News/2020/INTERPOL-warns-of-financial-fraud-linked-to-COVID-19

 

Author: Richard Morris

Kristin and Richard Morris are the owners of Arizona Cruise and Travel in Gilbert, AZ, a Cruise Planners® franchise. They want to travel more and help others do the same. ACT on your travel dreams today! Call us at (602) 626-3740 or toll-free at (888) 419-6640. You can visit our website at www.arizonacruiseandtravel.com and play around. Heck, you might as well search for your next cruise because you know you want to.

Richard and Kristin also own Southwest Premier Insurance Agency, LLC, a full service, independent insurance agency in Gilbert, AZ.