How to Stay Safe from COVID-19 Scams
Unfortunately, we live in a world that we need to constantly protect ourselves and our families from people that are trying to take advantage of us and others. Please beware from the known COVID-19 scams.
Economic Income Payments:
There are fraudsters trying to trick people into giving them their financial information by reaching out via phone call, email or text message with information about their stimulus check. Please do not respond to anyone reaching out to you about your stimulus check; please call the IRS if you believe someone is trying to reach you in good order. Some fraudsters are asking to verify your banking information over the phone or asking you to send your banking information for early payment. If you notice someone is calling about your “stimulus check or payment” beware; the property term is Economic Income Payment.
Pandemic-Related Phishing Attempts
Pandemic related email scams are now the highest number of attacks related to one issue. Fraudsters are sending emails acting as they are members of the WHO (World Health Organization), the CDC and the IRS trying to obtain secure information from Americans. Red flags to watch for include links for safety tips, links to view cases in your city or people posing as medical professionals. If you get any emails about the COVID-19 please reach out to the organization via telephone call to see if they were really trying to contact you. Please don’t call any phone numbers in the email as they may route directly to the fraudster.
Fraudulent Investment Schemes
The SEC is continuing to monitor any investment schemes relating to the COVID-19. The SEC has seen cases where fraudsters are reaching out to Americans posing as charities and targeting specific groups of people.
Seniors are still a widely targeted group for scams, and this has increased substantially with the self-isolation and stay-in-place orders. If you think someone close to you is being scammed please contact your local police station and report it.
Christina Jones
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™
Financial Planner
Partner, DJWMG