Coronavirus COVID-19 Scams: Beware

Scammers are taking advantage of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In Louisville, Kentucky, officials advised residents to avoid a number of pop-up coronavirus testing sites. Authorities in Kentucky have been investigating drive-up testing sites promising same-day results for $250. While a Texas-based website was offering a coronavirus "vaccine" until authorities won a restraining order against its operators. In Virginia, telephone scammers, posing as local hospital representatives, warned residents of possible virus exposure and sought to lure them to sham test sites.

Coronavirus COVID-19 Scams Beware

Also, there are cybercrimials sending emails with a malicious attachment to potential victims in an attempt to trick them in opening it, which will infect their computers with malware.

Here are some tips to help you keep the scammers at bay:

  • Hang up on robocalls. Don’t press any numbers. Scammers are using illegal robocalls to pitch everything from scam Coronavirus treatments to work-at-home schemes. The recording might say that pressing a number will let you speak to a live operator or remove you from their call list, but it might lead to more robocalls, instead.
  • Ignore online offers for vaccinations and home test kits. Scammers are trying to get you to buy products that aren’t proven to treat or prevent the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) — online or in stores. At this time, there also are no FDA-authorized home test kits for the Coronavirus. Visit the FDA to learn more.
  • Fact-check information. Scammers, and sometimes well-meaning people, share information that hasn’t been verified. Before you pass on any messages, contact trusted sources. Visit What the U.S. Government is Doing for links to federal, state and local government agencies.
  • Know who you’re buying from. Online sellers may claim to have in-demand products, like cleaning, household, and health and medical supplies when, in fact, they don’t.
  • Don’t respond to texts and emails about checks from the government. The details are still being worked out. Anyone who tells you they can get you the money now is a scammer.
  • Don’t click on links from sources you don’t know. They could download viruses onto your computer or device.
  • Watch for emails claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or experts saying they have information about the virus. For the most up-to-date information about the Coronavirus, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Check the comment section below for additional information, share what you know, or ask a question about this article by leaving a comment below. And, to quickly find answers to your questions, use our search Search engine.

Note: Some of the information in samples on this website may have been impersonated or spoofed.
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Comments (Total: 8)

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  • August 28, 2020 at 7:30 PM by info

    "From: Covid 19 Relief Funds <pasakorn@networks.ru.ac.th>

    Sent: Fri, 28 Aug 2020 08:00:29

    To: Recipients <pasakorn@networks.ru.ac.th>

    Subject: Hello!

    You were chosen by (UNDP) UK to receive Covid-19 relief cash of £1 Million GBP"

    Here is another scam.

  • August 10, 2020 at 6:55 PM by info

    Here is a scam:

    "Am doing great enjoying the moment of my life I think if you might have heard about the federal government COV-19 program yet

    I got $200,000.00 from the federal government COV-19 grant program delivered to me at my house door step, and I saw your name on the FedEx list when they came to deliver mine to me at my house door step yesterday did you also get any message from them?

    All you just have to do is to click on the link i send to you and message him ok so that you can also get your money

    I saw your Facebook profile picture there"

  • August 6, 2020 at 5:45 PM by info

    "Congratulations you have won COVID-19 relief funds

    Thu 8/6/2020 5:30 PM

    Congratulations

    You have been selected to received the sum of $500,000 (Five

    hundred thousand United States dollars) COVID-19 Economic Injury

    Disaster Fund grant.

    This grant has been awarded to you by the United States Small

    Business Administration. To receive your paycheck kindly contact

    our claims office for the application and confirmation by

    providing your account information for immediate payment within 3

    days.

    Claims office email: klimovconsult@gmail.com

    Thanks

    Klimov Andrej"

    Here is another scam.

  • July 8, 2020 at 12:29 AM by info

    "From: connolly family <masam@eunet.rs>

    Sent: Wed, 08 Jul 2020 04:46:12

    To: Recipients <masam@eunet.rs>

    Subject: Covid-19 humanitarian donation

    You have been choosing for donation/humanitarian funds of €5.7 million, to help fight the outbreak of COVID-19 in your region which has become a Global disaster before it cripples the economy, And also for philanthropic work. Contact your donor for further details at: connollyfamily@iname.com"

    Here is another scam.

  • April 20, 2020 at 9:20 PM by info

    "From: COVID-19 <gtdinstalaciones_respaldo3@gtdinternet.com>

    Date: Tue, Apr 21, 2020 at 12:13 AM

    Subject: Attention: Sir/Madam,COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund Raising!

    Attention: Sir/Madam,

    GENEVA and Washington, D.C. – A new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Solidarity Response Fund will raise money from a wide range of donors to support the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners to help countries respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund, the first-of-its-kind, enables private individuals, corporations and institutions anywhere in the world to come together and directly contribute to global response efforts, and has been created by the United Nations Foundation and the Swiss Philanthropy Foundation, together with WHO.

    “We are at a critical point in the global response to COVID-19 – we need everyone to get involved in this massive effort to keep the world safe, We are immensely grateful to the UN Foundation and the Swiss Philanthropy Foundation for coming forward to help us set up this fund. A lot of people and institutions have been saying they want to contribute to the fight against the novel Coronavirus. Now they can.”

    First Light Trust Fund launches with major support already lined up, including from Facebook and Google who have instituted a matching scheme for funds raised through their platforms, while individual donors are also supporting the First Light Trust Fund through account details below:

    Account number: 9771080

    Routing Number: 321080941

    Bank Name :First Light Federal Credit Union

    “We can’t ignore the fact that this is a truly global problem – one that requires truly global solutions,” said Elizabeth Cousens, UN Foundation President and CEO. “The cause for global cooperation could not be clearer – communities everywhere are affected, and people want to contribute. This new fund will create space for people everywhere, together, to fight this virus.”

    Funds will go towards actions outlined in the COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan to enable all countries – particularly those most vulnerable and at-risk, and with the weakest health systems – to prepare for and respond to the COVID-19 crisis including rapidly detecting cases, stopping transmission of the virus, and caring for those affected.

    WHO and its partners (First Light Trust Fund) are seeking financing for protective equipment for front line health workers; to equip diagnostic laboratories; improve surveillance and data collection; establish and maintain intensive care units; strengthen supply chains; accelerate research and development of vaccines and therapeutics; and take other critical steps to scale up the public health response to the pandemic.

    The COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund is hosted by two foundations, the UN Foundation (registered in the United States) and the Swiss Philanthropy Foundation (registered in Switzerland). Both foundations have established relationships with the World Health Organization, allowing for efficient transfer of financial resources to enable COVID-19 response efforts.

    Apart from giving online, We can also receive donations via check or wire from around the world by contacting covid19fundraise@gmail.com .

    Yours Faithful

    Elizabeth Cousens

    UN Foundation President and CEO"

    Here is another scam.

  • April 20, 2020 at 5:26 PM by info

    "CONGRATULATION; DONATION...247,

    Mon 4/20/2020 2:54 PM

    From: "Mr. Guterres" - info@belti.ru

    ATTENTION:

    Donation! Donation! Donation!

    OrgaThe United Nationsnization in corroboration with World Bank has donated the sum of: $2,500,000.00 USD to assist in treatment and in prevention of the Coronavirus (COVID 19) epidemic.

    Kindly reply for more detail on how to claim.

    Thank you.

    Antonio Guterres.

    Secretary-General

    United Nations Organization Worldwide."

    Here is another scam.

  • April 20, 2020 at 1:25 PM by info

    "Dear User

    Standard Bank has announced a second wave of relief to help its customer base navigate financial commitments as Covid-19 continues to impact the livelihood of many individuals across the country.

    Please Download attached SBSA COVID-19 Financial Relief to receive your R7,500.00 Standard Bank financial relief.

    To view this file, you 19ll need to have Adobe PDF Reader installed. To install it, simply:

    Copy and paste this URL into your browser:.www.get.adobe.com/reader/?promoid=BUIGO

    Go to the website

    Click the 1Cdownload 1D button and follow the easy steps. Done!

    Terms and conditions apply.

    Keeping your money and personal information secure is our priority. If you are concerned about any suspicious activity on your accounts, please call the Fraud Line immediately on: 0800 222 050.

    SBSA-COVID-19-Financial Relief

    Sun 4/19/2020 3:41 AM

    From: "Standard Bank"

    Authorised financial services and registered credit provider (NCRCP15). The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited (Reg. No. 1962/000738/06). Moving Forward is a trademark of The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited.

    The Standard Bank email disclaimer and confidentiality note:

    This email, its attachments and any rights attaching hereto are, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the property of the Standard Bank Group Limited and/or its subsidiaries ("the group"). It is confidential, private and intended for the addressee only.

    Should you not be the addressee and receive this email by mistake, kindly notify the sender, and delete it immediately. Do not disclose or use the email in any manner whatsoever.

    Views and opinions expressed in this email are those of the sender unless clearly stated as those of the group.

    The group accepts no liability whatsoever for any loss or damages - whatsoever and howsoever incurred - or suffered resulting or arising from the use of this email or its attachments. The group does not warrant the integrity of this email nor that it is free of errors, viruses, interception or interference.

    The group will never send you any email or other communication asking you to update or provide confidential information about you or your account. If you have any doubts about the legitimacy of this email or other emails you receive claiming to be from Standard Bank please forward them to.phishing@standardbank.co.za

    For more information about Standard Bank Group Limited see.www.standardbank.com

    Should you wish to unsubscribe, please send an email to:.Unsubscribe@standardbank.co.za

    GMS-2700E 5/18"

    Here is another scam.

  • April 20, 2020 at 12:56 PM by info

    "From: "E.William Parsley" <info@williamgomez.com>

    Date: April 20, 2020 at 3:12:03 AM MST

    Subject: Fund Update

    Reply-To: william2parsley@outlook.com

    Dear Friend.

    A customer of ours who died one (1) month ago due to the Covid-19 pandemic that just break out in China leaving behind instate/capital (US$30M) in a Bank here where I work, till date nobody has come forward or put application for the claim.

    During the Bank private search for the late gentle man relatives your name and email contact was among the findings that matches the same surname as the deceased who died intestate with no will or next of kin. To maintain the level of security required I have intentionally left out the final details.

    Banking regulation/legislation demand that I notify the fiscal authorities after a statutory time period when dormant accounts of this type are called in by the monetary regulatory bodies if nobody applies to claim the funds.

    I urge you to come forward since I can provide you with the details needed for you to claim the estate/capital so that I can be gratify by you,in this way $15,000,000.00 for you and $15,000,000.00 for me.

    I will do all the crucial part in the Bank to have the claim released to you promptly.

    Please endeavor to observe utmost discretion in all matters concerning this issue to affirm your willingness and cooperation please do so by replying me with your Telephone Number and Your Contact Information.

    I do expect your prompt response.

    Please stay safe from the coronavirus God almighty will protect us from these bad virus.

    Email: e.william2parsley@gmail.com

    Thank you,

    E William Parsley."

    Here is another scam.

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Coronavirus COVID-19 Scams: Beware