COVID-19 has placed a tremendous burden on countless Americans. Even those that have not become ill due to the virus or lost a loved one to it have had to deal with joblessness, cut hours or reduced pay, and the issues that come with closed schools and working from home. Unfortunately, as the virus has shifted from something that many are dealing with for the moment to a cultural shift for the long term, people are adapting to it in a number of different ways, and not all of them are positive. The reality is that scammers are shifting their tactics to accommodate the virus, just as the average person would be when changing how they sanitize their work stations or adjust to working from home. COVID-19 also presents a number of different options for scammers, especially as those affected by it grow increasingly desperate for some kind of relief. As always, the important thing to remember when researching scams is that there is often only so much that you can do to recoup money, time, or resources lost to scam artists. But there is something you can do to prevent yourself from falling prey to a scam. The most important thing to remember is staying vigilant, and training yourself to recognize certain signs that come with coronavirus-related scams. Let's look into some of the most common ones below.
1. Phishing Scams
A phishing scam is a form of internet crime. Broadly speaking, internet crime is a type of crime that involves the use of the Internet to communicate fraudulent representations to consumers. But there are various types of online scams, and not all of them are appropriate for those seeking to capitalize on the COVID-19 pandemic. Phishing scams, however, fit into that category perfectly. As the name suggests, phishing scams have scammers "going fishing" for victims. Essentially, they involve the scammer sending out convincing-looking emails or texts, and attempting to secure sensitive information, like passwords or credit card information through those communications. A phishing scam fits perfectly into the COVID-19 era. You may receive an email about a false study surrounding COVID-19, or maybe even a fake vaccine. Currently, people are desperate for information about this virus and are willing to give their information out for it. Avoiding phishing scams is really about knowing the source of the emails your receive, having a healthy suspicion about communications, and simply not giving out sensitive information, at least not without doing the right amount of research.
2. Stimulus Scams
When the pandemic first became an issue, the stimulus package and in particular the $1,200 deposit received by most Americans were hot topics in the news. Since then, Congress and the Senate have been in negotiations on and off regarding a new stimulus package. With tens of millions of Americans newly unemployed, many are looking out for an influx of cash, whether or not it's coming in the form of a new stimulus package. This gives scammers the perfect opportunity to latch onto this need and exploit it. Many of these scammers pose as government agencies in emails or even phone calls, often requesting financial information. You may be asked to give your bank account information for a deposit, or even to sign over a check provided a new stimulus package is approved. There are also scammers on social media, especially Facebook, promising people new stimulus grants. Some scammers go so far as to impersonate banks and other types of financial institutions. Right now, everyone is in need of some cash, even if that comes in the form of a loan rather than a grant. If you're suddenly being offered a loan by a financial institution you aren't totally familiar with and you need the money, you may very well feel as if taking up a lesser-known lender on their offer is a good idea. Unfortunately, one of the only ways to avoid these types of scams is practicing restraint. You need to research every offer of money you receive. Don't click on any links or give out secure information before being sure about what you're committing to.
3. Charity Scams
We all want to do our part regarding COVID-19, and in many areas, the funds aren't there to ensure that people get testing, treatments, and in some cases aid following the death of a loved one. Therefore, it shouldn't be surprising that a lot of people are falling for charity scams, in which scammers impersonate COVID-related charities. You may be solicited to donate to a charity online, through text, or on the phone. While there are legitimate charities surrounding COVID-19, you should check on any charity through the IRS tax exemption website. If a charity purports to offer free seasonal influenza vaccines, which are recommended by the CDC every year for everyone six months old or older, it should probably be registered on this site. If it isn't, it probably isn't legitimate. Furthermore, you should vet any individuals asking for donations on websites like Gofundme before taking them at their word. You may feel uncomfortable vetting charities and those in need, but in this day and age it's a reality we're all living with.
4. Romance Scams
Romance scams can occur at any point in time; they're not unique to the COVID-19 pandemic. But they are even more prevalent now, many who wouldn't normally be vulnerable to romance scams may now find themselves being desperate for affection. A romance scam usually begins much like a typical online romance, where you may not only message someone through email, text, or other messaging platforms. You may even be able to video chat with the person scamming you. But eventually, these scams will devolve into the scammer asking for money. Right now, everyone is spending more time at home. It's more difficult to date, and it's easy to get lonely. It's the perfect climate for romance scammers to find success within. There are clearly a lot of issues that are developing around the pandemic. But don't let yourself forget the issues surrounding scams. The last thing you want is to fall prey to one during an already vulnerable time.
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