Protecting yourself from COVID-19 scams

March 25,2020

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See full City of Fort Worth article here.

Scammers may take advantage of fears surrounding the impact of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in our communities. Help to protect yourself and others by learning about existing scams and precautionary measures you can take to avoid being scammed.

Government Assistance Scam
Do not respond to calls, emails or text messages about money from the federal government. Scammers will attempt to get money in exchange for government assistance. The government does not request payment upfront for financial assistance.

Charity Scams
There has been an increase in charity scams where individuals claim to represent a charity and ask for donations. Research any charity before you decide to donate, and go directly to their website. Do not donate using a gift card or wire transfer.

Fake Coronavirus Test
If someone comes to your home claiming to be from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) or World Health Organization (WHO) to test you for COVID-19, do not answer the door or allow this individual into your home.

Undelivered Goods
Be wary of websites claiming to sell basic necessities such as cleaning supplies and toiletries. Fake websites will take money without delivering products. Only shop on websites you already frequently use and trust.

Fake Emails and Texts with Links
Fake companies will send out emails and/or text messages with links to their website. The fake website links can be used to access your valuable personal information. If a message looks suspicious, do not click on the links and delete the message.

If you come across any suspicious claims, report them to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint. For additional resources and updates, visit the following:

AARP: AARP.org/Money
Center for Disease Control: CDC.gov
Federal Trade Commission: FTC.gov/Coronavirus
World Health Organization: WHO.int
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