alert!
SCAM
Scammers use pandemic to trick unsuspecting folks The coronavirus outbreak has been big business for scammers. First it was fake
How the Scam Works: You get a text message that
application in order to receive their stimulus check.
looks like it comes from
No matter what the
the U.S. federal govern-
message says, don’t
ment. Current reports
click! These texts are
say that scammers are
phishing for personal
impersonating the U.S.
information. They also can
Department of Health and
download malware to your
Human Services, but they
device, which opens you
Since the pandemic began
are unlikely to stop there.
up to risk for identity theft.
in late winter, the Better
The message tells you that
Business Bureau has been
you must take a “manda-
tracking numerous reports
tory online COVID-19 test”
of “official-sounding”
and has a link to a website.
scams attempting to fool
But there is no online test
people into giving away
for coronavirus!
masks, then fake government grants, then fake COVID-19 tests. Every catastrophe brings out both the best in people and — and sadly, the worst.
cash, personal information used for identity theft, or both.
• If you think your text message is real, be sure it’s directing to a web address like “agency. gov” or “agency.ca,” not “agency.otherwebsite. com.” • Check for lookalikes. Be sure to do your research and see if a government agency
Tips to Spot a COVID-19 Text Message Scam:
or organization actual-
• Government agencies
agency to be sure the
ly exists. Find contact info on your own and call the organization or
do not typically com-
person you’ve heard
These are far from the only
municate through text
from is legitimate.
coronavirus text message
messages.
scams (often known as
• Ignore instructions to
Phony text messages
“smishing” for SMS phish-
text “STOP” or “NO” to
claiming to be from a
ing). BBB has also gotten
prevent future texts.
government agency is one
reports of texts urging
This is a common ploy
of the latest to be on the
recipients to complete “the
by scammers to confirm
watch for.
census” or fill out an online
they have a real, active phone number.
If you’ve spotted a scam (whether or not you’ve lost
money), report it to BBB.org/ScamTracker. Your report can help others avoid falling victim to scams.
MAY 2020
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