How to Recognize COVID-19 Scams

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a lot of uncertainty and fear across the nation. This is particularly true for seniors, who may face the highest health risks from the disease.

It’s normal to want a solution to the virus or to be confused about the economic and healthcare benefits you’re eligible for. Unfortunately, scammers have attempted to capitalize on this situation by stealing money or personal information through COVID-19 scams. With a little caution, you can spot scams more easily and help put a stop to them.

Common types of COVID-19 fraud

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) have reported numerous types of scams since the pandemic began:

• Vaccination and treatment scams: Scammers may try to sell you fake vaccines or treatments for COVID-19. These products may never be sent to you, or they might be untested and unproven. COVID-19 home testing kit scams have also been on the rise, with scammers attempting to sell kits that are fake or unreliable.
• Healthcare scams: Some scammers may call or email you pretending to sell low-cost healthcare coverage that will protect you against COVID-19-related medical bills.
• Stimulus check scams: Scammers may reach out to you pretending to be the IRS, Department of the Treasury or other government agency to discuss your stimulus check or other forms of financial assistance. They may try to get you to provide sensitive information, such as banking information or your Social Security number.

In addition to these scams, many others have surfaced, including the selling of fake medical supplies and requests for you to download a program or app containing malware that can steal personal information off your device.

Tips for spotting and avoiding scams

Many COVID-19 scams can appear realistic at first glance. It’s important to dig a little deeper anytime you receive a phone call, text, email or message regarding COVID-19 medical care or financial assistance.

Here are a few simple tips that can help keep you safe:

• Steer clear of urgent callers: If someone calls or emails you and requests payment or information immediately, it’s probably a scam. Fraudulent companies often create a sense of urgency or potential consequences alongside their scams to encourage people to act quickly without thinking things through.
• Don’t click on links unless you know the source: If you receive a link via text message or email, double check the sender before you click. Many scammers pretend to be real companies, but their email addresses are not the real address for the company’s customer service line. If you click the link, it may take you to a fake website that places malware on your computer or asks you for personal information.
• Ignore phony government calls: Government agencies like the IRS and Social Security will not call you to request money, wire transfers or sensitive information. If you receive calls or texts from people claiming to be from the government, do not send money or share information like your social security number.
• Be cautious of the “too good to be true”: If a company is offering you medical care or devices, financial assistance or something else for free or a very low price and it seems too good to be true, proceed with caution. Many scammers collect payment or personal information by luring people in with enticing deals that turn out to be fake. Make sure you research the offer and can be certain it’s from a reliable source before proceeding.

If you’ve received a message that you suspect is a scam, always double-check information listed on reputable websites (like those ending in “.gov”) to verify COVID-19 information and previously reported scams. You can file a complaint with the FBI if you believe you are a victim of fraud.

While you’re looking out for your financial wellbeing, you should also be taking care of your health! If you have questions about your Medicare coverage, or want to find out if you’re getting all the benefits you deserve, the team at PlanEnroll is here to help you.

PlanEnroll is a brand operated by Integrity Marketing Group, LLC and used by its affiliated licensed insurance agencies that are certified to sell Medicare products. PlanEnroll is not endorsed by the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), or any other government agency.