HANCOCK COUNTY — Local, state and national officials are warning residents to beware of scams related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I think we will inevitably see cases of fraud related to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Capt. Robert Harris, public information officer for the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department.
A prime opportunity for fraud: If and when the federal government decides to issue stimulus checks to citizens.
Residents should call the county’s non-emergency number, 317-477-4400, if they feel they have been targeted. Detectives from the sheriff’s department, Greenfield Police Department and other county law enforcement agencies will take the initial report — likely by phone — and investigate as needed.
Additionally, if people feel they are the victim of a scam via telecommunications, they can file a report with the Federal Communications Commission at fcc.gov/complaints.
Harris said county law enforcement officials routinely monitor www.fcc.gov/covid-scams for the most current information to pass on to investigators.
“We remind citizens federal and local governments will never solicit personal or banking information via telephone call, text message, or email,” Harris said.
If residents are unsure if a document they receive is legitimate, they should look up a published number for the corresponding agency and call to verify the request.
Indiana State Police have also released real-life examples that have been identified by federal authorities as scams.
Criminals, for example, are calling people pretending to be a clinic or hospital official, saying a relative has fallen sick with the virus. The scammers then request payments for medical treatment.
Phishing is also happening via emails, in which criminals are claiming to be from national or global health organizations, in hopes of tricking people to provide personal credentials or payment details. Such phishing emails also can contain attachments that launch malware.
Trading in medical supplies is also fertile territory for scammers.
On Sunday, March 22, the Justice Department announced it had taken its first action in federal court to combat fraud related to the coronavirus pandemic.
Operators of the website www.coronavirusmedicalkit.com engaged in a wire fraud scheme seeking to profit from the confusion and widespread fear surrounding COVID-19, a press release said.
Information published on the website claimed to offer consumers access to World Health Organization vaccine kits in exchange for a shipping charge of $4.95, which consumers would pay by entering their credit card information on the website.
People need to be sure to independently verify any company or individual offering items before making any purchases and to be aware of bogus websites, as criminals will often use a web address that looks almost identical to the legitimate one.
Area residents are being asked to check online reviews of a company before making any medical-related purchase. Search for complaints of other customers not receiving the promised items; and be wary of sharing payment information unless you’re certain the company is legitimate.
For anyone who believes they have been a victim of fraud surrounding the virus, they should alert their bank immediately so payment can be stopped.
People are asked to not click on links or open attachments that look odd or are not expected from an unknown sender.
People are also being warned to be wary of unsolicited emails offering medical equipment or requesting personal information for medical checks. Legitimate health authorities do not usually contact the general public with unsolicited requests.
Anyone who suspects they may have been scammed is being asked to report suspected fraud schemes related to COVID-19 (the Coronavirus) can also call the National Center for Disaster Fraud hotline 1-866-720-5721 or email their complaint to [email protected].
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Some examples of Covid-19 schemes include:
Individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19 online and engaging in other forms of fraud.
Phishing emails from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Malicious websites and apps that appear to share coronavirus-related information to gain and lock access to your devices until payment is received.
Seeking donations fraudulently for illegitimate or non-existent charitable organizations.
Medical providers obtaining patient information for COVID-19 testing and then using that information to fraudulently bill for other tests and procedures.
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