DEERFIELD — More scams are popping up as a result of the novel coronavirus outbreak, and State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) urges people to be careful when responding to requests for money or personal information.
“It’s disheartening people are being taken advantage of during such a vulnerable time,” Morrison said.“It’s important to be vigilant and cautious if someone reaches out to you for money or personal information. Don’t hesitate to question the person calling and seek advice from the attorney general’s office before providing information.”
Attorney General Kwame Raoul said attorneys general from across the nation have seen a rise in reports of people posing as charitable organizations or public health agencies. Those scams, according to Raoul, include cyber scams, telephone and text messaging scams, counterfeit product offers, bogus door-to-door offers of tests and products related to the coronavirus and solicitations for donations to phony charities.
Some of the most common scams seen by Raoul include:
- Emails claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, and other health care organizations, offering to share information about the virus,
- Emails asking for the verification of personal data, including Medicare or Medicaid information, in exchange for receiving economic stimulus funds or other benefits from the government,
- Email phishing scams, text messages from unknown sources which may include hyperlinks to what appear to be automated pandemic updates, or interactive infection maps,
- COVID-19 vaccinations and home test kits that are made online, in stores, through electronic messages or over the phone.
For more information or to report scams connected to COVID-19, please visit the attorney general’s website found here.
