2020 saw the beginning of the pandemic effects. Those effects have spread into 2021 and are predicted to go into next year. Unfortunately, with any disaster, national, or global crisis, you have people who want to take advantage of others. The Covid-19 pandemic is no exception. Scammers have run ramped during this time. To avoid these scammers, it is critical to know the top scams and what you should do to avoid them. We have researched the top scams, according to the US Government. Read on to find out what they are and how to protect yourself.
Identity theft-based scams
Identity theft is a huge issue with scammers. Concerning the Covid-19 pandemic, how scammers obtain your information has become quite crafty. The scammers primarily use the verification method to gain information which they can then use to access Credit Card information, personal information, or steal your identity. The top three ways they get information are from social media, fake charities, and non-verified vaccination registrations.
Social Media Scams
Social media scams are in the form of messaging asking you to post your vaccination verification. The verification shows your personal information. Scammers who are not on your friend’s list can see this information and use it. Another way social media scammers get your identity is through fake prizes and chances to win if you post your vaccination verification. These scammers typically use a low-cost domain registration which routes you to an unsecured site. The site then asks you to upload a photo of your record for a chance to win. Once you do so, the scammer has your information. Do not upload any verification to social media.
Also, avoid any social media posts which ask you to name your first school, name your first place of residence, or any other type of post. These are generally security questions to credit cards and personal information. By answering, you are giving the information to scammers who can steal your idenity
Financial Scams during Covid
Financial scams during Covid-19 include several different types. First, there is fake charity. These charities pop up with every disaster and are usually call-based. The scammer calls you and states that they are a charity looking to help relieve Covid-19. They sound compelling and give you a website to which you can go and donate. They assure you that the donations are tax-exemptible. The goal is to get you to go to the site and put in your personal information and your credit card information. Again, these sites don’t use the top-rated web hosting sites, and so there is no data encryption, no SLL, and no Https to the domain name. This should be the first red flag.
If you wish to donate to a site, use the government’s suggestions or go to your local charity. This ensures that the money you give goes where it is supposed to. Never give money to anyone who calls on the phone. Legitimate charities do not make phone calls to solicit funds. Usually, they do drives outside of their place of business. When visiting any site which claims to be for charity, do not give out personal information. Ask the site to send you information on how to donate.
Empathy based scams
Perhaps the most disturbing of the Covid-19 scams are those which play upon a person’s empathy. Three scams are popular during the pandemic, which should be avoided. The first is a scam where a grandchild is sick and needs medical help. Sometimes, this is reversed to where the grandparent is sick and the child calls. The second is a call from someone claiming to be a disabled veteran seeking assistance. The final is a call from someone claiming to be from FEMA and claiming that you have had a relative die and that you need to verify your information to see if that person is related to you or you will incur a bill.
To avoid these scams. On the grandparent and child and the military veteran scam, you must not play to the sympathies they are trying to take advantage of. If you do not know the person, do not engage in any conversation that gives out your personal or financial information. The FEMA scam should be avoided as FEMA will never call you and threaten you with a bill. If you suspect that the call may be legitimate, you can go to the official FEMA website, get their number, and call them to verify.
Other helpful tips
Never go to a website with an Https and SLL certificate. Most domain and web hosting services offer this at no cost. So, if you find one without it, more than likely, it is a scam. Also, do not engage in any social media posts which redirect you from the page. These are often scams that are trying to get your information. Finally, if you don’t recognize the number, answer the phone. If it is important, they will leave you a message.
By following these tips, you can avoid scams during Covid-19. Should you feel like you are a victim of a potential scam, visit the us.gov site to report it.
