Related Content
Press Release
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town today urged the public to report suspected fraud schemes related to COVID-19 (the Coronavirus) by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline (1-866-720-5721) or to the NCDF e-mail address disaster@leo.gov.
In coordination with the Department of Justice, Attorney General William Barr has directed U.S. Attorneys to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of Coronavirus fraud schemes.
“Alabamians and Americans need to remain vigilant and not fall for the fraudsters, hucksters, and con artists. The Department of Justice and all of our law enforcement partners resolve to investigate and prosecute anyone seeking to illegally gain from this crisis,” Town said. “Our elder population are often targets. Let’s not wash away our common sense. Be aware! Be alert! Be sensible! We resolve to be vigilant.”
Some examples of these schemes include:
In a memorandum to U.S. Attorneys issued March 19, Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen also directed each U.S. Attorney to appoint a Coronavirus Fraud Coordinator to serve as the legal counsel for the federal judicial district on matters relating to the Coronavirus, direct the prosecution of Coronavirus-related crimes, and to conduct outreach and awareness activities. The Northern District of Alabama Coronavirus Fraud Coordinator is Assistant United States Attorney Robert O. Posey.
The NCDF can receive and enter complaints into a centralized system that can be accessed by all U.S. Attorneys, as well as Justice Department litigating and law enforcement components to identify, investigate and prosecute fraud schemes. The NCDF coordinates complaints with 16 additional federal law enforcement agencies, as well as state Attorneys General and local authorities.
To find more about Department of Justice resources and information, please visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus.