Maui Public Warned of Coronavirus Themed Phishing Emails and Scams

Maui Now graphic.

The County of Maui advises the public to be aware of suspicious emails and scams related to COVID-19, or coronavirus.

These phishing attacks can be used in combination with emails and fake websites to trick victims into divulging sensitive information. Emails may have malicious Microsoft Word documents attached, which can lead to the installation of information stealer malware.

The public is also warned of mobile applications that are coronavirus themed and could be scams.

Tips on what to do when receiving a suspicious email:

• Do NOT open emails from unknown sources – delete them immediately.
• Do NOT open attachments in emails sent from unknown sources or from known sources if the email seems suspicious.
• Do NOT follow links in emails sent from unknown sources or from known sources if the email seems suspicious.
• Do NOT visit unfamiliar websites.
• Trust your instincts; if an email or attachment seems suspicious, don’t open it – call the sender and ask if they sent you something.As a reminder, the public is strongly encouraged to visit trusted websites and official sources for information.General information and resources on COVID-19 (coronavirus) can be found on the County of Maui’s website at mauicounty.gov. For primary sources of information and updates, please visit the State DOH website at https://health.hawaii.gov/ and CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/.