The information below is provided to provide information only.
It’s a gruesome, sad story, yet one that should all be familiar with. A terrible incident occurs that totally disturbs lives…and then scammers show to the rescue.
We’ve seen this time and again following massive catastrophes. As the coronavirus pandemic continues develop, we’re already witnessing people across the world trying to profit from the increasing confusion and anxiety at the expense of the people who suffer the most.
When the epidemic this was in shape of the hording of and price-gouging when people picked huge quantities of essential products (including the mask for face and Clorox wipes). In the present, as various organizations start to offer relief solutions and relief products, we’re beginning to see new scams emerge.
While you’re navigating this difficult situation, you must be alert for indications of possible scam. There are several scams that have been reported however it is a guarantee that there are many more.
False Vaccinations, Preventatives or testing kits
There’s no vaccine for COVID-19 that is currently available or available, and there aren’t any commercial products that could create immunity to the disease. There aren’t any home test kits that you can purchase to use for your personal needs. Be wary of those who try to sell you products that aren’t even available yet.
If you’re planning to take preventative measures, be sure to follow the guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and ensure you are able to wash your hands frequently and disinfect any frequently exposed surfaces.
In addition do social distancing, and make use of your good judgement.
Fake government relief checks
There’s a constant debate about what actions the government can adopt to assist families and individuals in this crisis. With massive shutdowns , and the recommendation for (and sometimes mandatory) self-isolation, there’s lots of people who don’t have a source of income at the moment. It’s also taken a huge cost to many sectors as people shun from traveling, entertainment and many other things.
One possible option is for the government to begin to issue checks to everyone. While we’re not discussing the details of how this could work and whether it’s the best concept, it’s certainly the kind of scenario that fraudsters are trying to profit from.
The FTC recently published some important tips on how you can protect you from “fake government checks” fraudsters:
There is no need to pay any money to access the money for relief. If this is the case There is absolutely no chance that you will have to pay any fee for accessing your money. Be wary of any person who is trying to charge you in advance.
The government won’t contact you to request confidential information. Don’t divulge the details of your Social Security number or private bank account details to an unknown person, unidentified on the phone.
The IRS will not pay you more than you are due. Frauds involving overpayments are in the news for quite a while and this is yet another chance for scammers to employ an update of an old-fashioned scam. The maximum amount for stimulus is $1,200 for each person who qualifies. Checks for paper will begin arriving at the end of April or early May, although the process could take time. If you receive a cheque that appearslike it’s your stimulus money, however it’s more than $1,200 the check is a fraud.
To refresh your memory the way the scam usually works It’s when you receive an unpaid check that is more than you’re supposed to. The scammer wants you to cash the check and then send them the money you “accidentally” paid over. The money is then available for a short time which is why you pay the difference. After that, the bank confirms that the check was not valid, and you’re able to withdraw the amount you sent back.
Anyone who claims to offer anything that doesn’t exist is likely to be a scammer. The best way to protect yourself from fraudster is to have reliable knowledge. Make sure you are aware of the latest developments and what’s going on. In the meantime, until the government decides to begin sending relief funds, anyone who claims to assist you in receiving these funds may be trying to defraud you.
Phony Loan or Credit Card Offers
One measure which the government of America has made to combat the economic consequences of the epidemic is to reduce the interest rate of the federal government to close to zero. This may be beneficial to certainborrowers however fraudsters are making use of the information to lure consumers by offering fake deals.
We’ve recently heard about an ad-hoc scam in which a person claims to be a representative from an important credit bureau and offers to help reduce the interest rate charged on the credit card you use. These credit agencies (such like Equifax or Experian) do not have any influence about your interest rates; they simply record and publish information about your credit report. In addition, it’s highly unlikely that a lender or creditor lender would contact you and ask you to lower the rates you pay.
As with any call that’s suspicious don’t provide personal details if you’re not sure of the person you’re talking to. If in doubt you should hang up and then contact them again – but don’t callon the number they’ve provided. Check the phone number yourself.
Take care of Phony Charities
It is inevitable that there will be untrustworthy people who are willing to take advantage of the generosity and kindness of other people. The fraudulent crowdfunding and charity schemes are scams that are prevalent throughout the year however, they are more likely to rise exponentially following the aftermath of a catastrophe or crisis.
Do not be deceived, making a donation to charity is an honorable and worthwhile act to consider. Be sure to conduct your homework. Simply because something has lots of likes on Facebook doesn’t mean that it’s a genuine. Be sure to stick with well-known charitable organizations or local groups that you’ve personally confirmed. Food banks in your area shelters, shelters and clinics that are free are good places to start.
Another thing to think about is the way a charity would like you to make a donation. If they insist on using things like gift cards, cash or wire transfer which is a popular method used by fraudsters – then they’re not genuine.
Unfortunately, scams such as these aren’t going to disappear any time soon. As this epidemic continues to grow it’s likely that we’ll see increasing attempts to deceive consumers of money they can’t afford to lose now. Be smart, remain on guard, and if something appears too promising for it to be real, then it definitely is.
