Criminals are relentless in finding new ways to prey on people’s fears during this pandemic. We urge you to be vigilant in questioning any texts, emails or offers that require you to click on links, fill out surveys, or give any personal information to unknown sources. You can Google the subject line of any email to see if there are reports of it being spam or phishing.The FBI is warning people about a new stimulus check scam where people receive a text message, supposedly from Costco, offering “$110 goodies,” and other hooks, to entice people to fill out bogus surveys. The information from these surveys can be used to steal your identity, commit financial fraud, or install malware into your computer. Here is the press release from the FBI for more information.
At this time, you should be particularly wary of any emails or texts from unknown senders concerning:
- The CDC and other organizations offering links to new info about coronavirus
- Charities asking for donations
- Airline relief funds
- COVID-19 Cures and vaccines
- Financial relief and stimulus checks
- CornonavirusTesting kits
The IRS released a similar warning, as well as instructions for reporting phishing, online, and other scams. Read their message here:
content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USIRS/bulletins/284881a
The Federal Trade Commission’s consumer information page offers additional tips to avoid scams. You can access it here:
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-avoid-phishing-scams
