Tips to Protect Your Loved Ones and Yourself from the Latest Scams
Coronavirus Scams
Provided by the Federal Trade Commission – Consumer Information, April 2020
Scammers are taking advantage of fears surrounding the Coronavirus.
Avoid Coronavirus Scams!
- Don’t respond to texts, emails or calls about checks from the government. The details are still coming together.
- Ignore online offers for vaccinations and home test kits. There are no products proven to treat or prevent COVID-19 at this time.
- Hang up on robocalls. Scammers are using illegal robocalls to pitch everything from low-priced health insurance to work-at-home schemes.
- Watch for emails claiming to be from the CDC or WHO. Use sites like coronavirus.gov and usa.gov/coronavirus to get the latest information. And don’t click on links from sources you don’t know.
- Do your homework when it comes to donations. Never donate in cash, by gift card, or by wiring money.
What the FTC is Doing
The FTC and FDA have jointly issued warning letters to seven sellers of unapproved and misbranded products, claiming they can treat or prevent the Coronavirus. The companies’ products include teas, essential oils, and colloidal silver.
The FTC says the companies have no evidence to back up their claims — as required by law. The FDA says there are no approved vaccines, drugs or investigational products currently available to treat or prevent the virus.
Resources
7 Quick Tips to Protect Your Loved Ones and Yourself from the Latest Scams
Tax Scams Are in Full Swing. Here’s How to Protect Yourself.
- “Don’t ever give out personal information to anyone you don’t know over the phone,” says, Debbie Silverman
- Take action when life changes occur – Certain life events can change the amount of tax you pay. Some examples are a change in marital status, death of a parent and birth of a child.
- Keep records safe – Put your tax return and supporting records in a safe place.
- If the offer to save or avoid taxes is too good to be true – WALK AWAY! It’s probably a scam.
- The IRS will never make initial contact with taxpayers via an unsolicited phone call or e-mail. (The agency generally only contacts people by mail.) It doesn’t call about unexpected refunds, ask for personal information like credit or debit card numbers over the phone or make threatening payment demands. If suspicious, taxpayers can request that the caller send a letter.
- Beware of e-mails or other communications posing as the IRS, promising a big refund or personally threatening you. Don’t open attachments or click on links in suspicious e-mails.
- If a tax refund promised by a tax preparer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Ask some questions: Why is the refund coming out this way? Why am I getting such a large refund? Research on tax preparers before working with them. Visit the Better Business Bureau’s website to run a check. Look for disciplinary actions and the license status for credentialed preparers. The IRS also has some tips on how to choose a tax professional.