COVID-19 Continues to Spread – and So Do the Scams
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Better Business Bureau (BBB) have seen a drastic increase in fraudulent activity since COVID-19 began to spread in the U.S. Multiple factors have caused this spike – economic impact payments are being distributed, and with so many out of work, more people are filing for unemployment and other government benefits. The increase in people utilizing these programs has created new opportunities for criminals to prey on the uncertainty and fear many of us are experiencing. Here are a few of the latest scams we’ve seen – and how to avoid them.
Nursing Home and Assisted Living Scams
The FTC has received reports that some nursing home and assisted living facilities are tricking residents into signing over their economic impact payments. These organizations argue that since the individual is on Medicaid, the payment would rightfully go to the facility (which is not the case). If you or a loved one was a victim of this scam, contact your state attorney general, who can help to return that money to its rightful owner.
Unemployment Fraud
More than 36 million people filed for unemployment at the height of the coronavirus pandemic – a fact that hasn’t gone unnoticed by identity thieves. Some of the information needed to file for unemployment was already made public by past data breaches, and criminals have gotten creative when it comes to getting the information they’re missing. Many have posed as individuals claiming to assist with filing, but instead use the information they receive to file under their own name! A number of fake websites have also been set up to get personal information needed to file for benefits. Avoid falling victim to this scam by making sure any website you use to file for, check the status of, or claim benefits ends in “.gov.”
Puppy Scams (Yes, You Read That Right)
The BBB has recorded an increase in fraudulent websites which claim to sell pets. There has been a spike in this scam as many people have turned to our animal friends for companionship during this pandemic to ease feelings of isolation. The virus has also made this scam more effective, as fraudsters use social distancing restrictions as an excuse for not being able to show the animal to the buyer before the purchase is made. Another red flag to watch out for is when a seller asks you to pay extra to vaccinate the animal for COVID-19 – there are no vaccinations currently on the market, so that’s a good indication that the seller isn’t legitimate. The BBB recommends not buying a pet before seeing it and recommends calling your local animal shelter as a safe alternative. If you have been scammed, report the incident to the BBB or the FTC.
Learn about other pandemic-related scams including malicious links, fake charities, and economic impact payment fraud.