#covid-19 scam

Scammers usually send phone and text messages demanding individuals to call back to receive a COVID-19 vaccination in exchange for money.

Federal agencies issued a warning of potential COVID-19 vaccine scams as coronavirus vaccine distributions begin across the country.

Red flags that the caller might be an impersonator include asking for your Social Security Number, bank information, or a form of payment.

On Monday, an individual called the Sheriff Division to report that he was contacted via text by someone claiming to be a “Sergeant Anderson” with the Sheriff Division Internet Crimes Task Force. According to the report, the impersonator stated that the man would be arrested for inappropriate internet use unless he paid an undisclosed amount of money.

In addition to stimulus check scams, con-artists are also offering corona virus testing, sometimes even going door to door, in an attempt to steal your health insurance or Medicare information to submit false claims or to steal your money. Scammers are impersonating the CDC and even offering fake cures or vaccines.

Among the scams reported so far – Imposters claiming to be from government agencies asking for personal information by phone, text and email so they can give you your money; Text messages and emails asking for people to click on a link to get their $1,000 assistance check; and Phone calls asking for bank information to deposit your “Trump Dollars.”

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.