Fraud Watch: Expect more scams amid pandemic

By Elliott Greenblott
The average American is taking the coronavirus seriously; the average scammer is taking the coronavirus as an opportunity. Criminals work to get you “under the ether,” a heightened state of anxiety, and the current crisis creates that environment. Tactics include: impersonating officials, exploiting scarcity or perceived scarcity, collecting personal by profiling intended victims, manipulating social media consensus to build demand.

Here is my “short list” of scams as noted by the FBI, FTC, and CDC:

SUPPLY SCAMS

“Pop-up” businesses, web sites, and social media accounts selling discounted supplies. Criminals pocket the cash and the supplies are never delivered.

CURE OR TREATMENT SCAMS

Vaccines, prescription and over-the-counter products for treatment or as a cure. At present, there are no such products available.

IMPOSTER SCAMS

Gathering information including Social Security Numbers, Medicare and health insurance information. Scammers impersonate officials with the CDC or the Department of Health and Human Services or a state agency. The reality: the CDC, WHO, HHS and other official agencies will not be calling you to collect information.

SCAMS DIRECTED AGAINST VULNERABLE POPULATIONS

Exploiting the fears or particular needs of segments of the population such as the elderly, diabetics, those with compromised immune systems, those with respiratory illnesses. This is a variation of the imposter scams but tied to the profiling of individuals and the practice of “spear phishing.”

PROVIDER SCAMS

Pretending to be doctors or hospitals that have treated family members or friends and demanding payment. As with other examples, doctors and hospitals do no call or email to collect payment.

DOWNLOAD SCAMS

Creating software to provide information about the coronavirus that uploads malware to your devices to steal your personal and financial information. Avoid any downloads and utilize the official or legitimate sources of information, including www.cdc.gov and www.hhs.gov.

INVESTMENT SCAMS

Promoting fraudulent investment in companies that manufacture products to prevent, detect, or cure coronavirus. Research the company and the individual making the offer. Contact the SEC or your state regulator.

CHARITY SCAMS

Soliciting donations for individuals, organizations and locations impacted by coronavirus. As with donations to any charity or non-profit, research before you donate.

GOVERNMENT CHECK SCAMS

Impersonating officials to collect personal information in facilitating checks from the government related to the coronavirus. The government will not call or email you to obtain personal information. The details of any payment still need to be developed. As stated by the FTC, “Anyone who tells you they can get you the money now is a scammer.”

Expect the scam attempts to increase! More people are spending more time at home. Con-artists don’t need to wait until meal time or the evening to make contact. There has been a dramatic rise in scam reports in the past two weeks according to a number of law enforcement agencies. Be vigilant.

Questions or comments? Contact me at [email protected].

Elliott Greenblott is a retired educator and the Vermont coordinator of the AARP Fraud Watch Network. He produces a feature CATV program, Mr. Scammer, distributed by GNAT-TV in Sunderland, Vermont.