These scammers may pretend to be representatives of a charity. They tend to reach out by calling, emailing, or approaching you on the street. Some scammers even create a fake charity name and website that looks as if it’s a legitimate charity organization. If you fall for their charity scam, it’s likely that your money is going right into the scammer’s pocket.
These scams can then lead to identity theft. They may ask for your personal information such as your social security number, bank account information, or credit card numbers. It is important to be alert when you’re asked to donate money.
How To Identify COVID-19 Charity Scams
You should always take time researching any charity to verify the organization is legitimate before you decide to donate. Visit this helpful website on the Federal Trade Commission’s website for some excellent tips on how to do this.
Be on the lookout for:
- Someone calling you on the phone and pressuring you to give money immediately. Real charities will not pressure you to give immediately.
- A request for payment by wire transfer, cash, or a gift card. These are common requests by scammers.
- Thank you letters suggesting you’ve donated to the charity in the past. It’s possible they’re not from a real charity, but instead sneakily aiming to convince you that you’ve donated before and must’ve just forgotten. They hope you’ll believe the charity is legitimate and you should donate “again.”
- A charity asking for your bank account information or credit card numbers by phone or through email. Protect your personal information - real charities will not ask for this type of information.
- Emails with attachments. These attachments often contain malware or viruses that can infect your computer, so it’s best to delete them.
- Shopping Scams
Some cybercriminals are creating fake stores, social media accounts, e-commerce websites, and email addresses claiming to sell medical supplies related to the COVID-19 virus. These supplies may include hand sanitizer, toilet paper, and face masks. Scammers will take your money for themselves and you will never receive the merchandise.
How To Identify Covid-19 Shopping Scams
Be on the lookout for:
- Negative online reviews and complaints. Check out the product or store before ordering.
- Sellers who ask you to send money to someone else. If you’re buying a product online, it should be a secure, simple payment process through a trusted vendor.
- Sellers who ask you to pay through a wire transfer, gift cards, prepaid card, or a bank-to-bank transfer.
- Misspellings of words. Legitimate, professional companies should have professional marketing collateral and websites that are free of errors.
When in doubt, stick to websites and companies that you know when it comes to shopping online.
Make sure you shop, donate, and browse online only on sites you know and trust.
Protect You and Your Loved Ones from COVID-19 Scams
As technology becomes increasingly sophisticated and the worldwide pandemic continues to cause fear, now more than ever we need to better understand COVID-19 scams. Fraudsters are on the rise by using fear and uncertainty to scam others - but not you!
Do not give out personal information or answer calls from unknown numbers. Be suspicious of things that are too good to be true. Do your research on solicitations and other companies to protect yourself, your personal information, and your family.
Visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website for more excellent tips and information about Coronavirus scams.