Report COVID-19 Fraud

U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton of the Northern District of Texas is urging the public to report suspected fraud schemes related to COVID-19 (the novel coronavirus) by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline at 1-866-720-5721 or submitting tips online at justice.gov/DisasterComplaintForm. The U.S. Department of Justice is committed to disrupting fraudsters intent on capitalizing on the pandemic.
Some examples of potential COVID-19 schemes include:
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Anyone selling fake testing kits, treatments, or cures for COVID-19
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Websites seeking donations for illegitimate or nonexistent COVID-19 charities
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Fraudulent phone calls from individuals posing as health insurers seeking personal information
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Phishing emails from entities posing as the CDC or WHO, which may contain malware
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Robocalls offering medical supplies with no intent to deliver
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Scams claiming to provide economic impact payments (colloquially known as stimulus funds) if consumers input their bank information
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Fraudulent medical billing for procedures related to COVID-19
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Threats to public officials advocating quarantines
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Hoarding or price-gouging of necessary supplies
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Threats to intentionally infect individuals with COVID-19
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To date, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Texas has taken action against a number of clinics promoting sham treatments, including:
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Court Prohibits Dallas Wellness Center from Touting ‘Ozone Therapy’ as COVID-19 Treatment (press release here)
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U.S. Attorney’s Office Files Enforcement Action Against Chiropractor Promoting Fake COVID-19 Treatment (press release here)
The office has also prosecuted defendants who defrauded pandemic-era financial programs like the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP):
- Waxahachie Woman Charged in $1.2 Million Paycheck Protection Program, Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program Fraud (press release here)
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Coppell Man Sentenced to 11 Years in $24 Million COVID-19 Relief Fraud Scheme (press release here)
- Owner of Cryptocurrency Company Charged with COVID-19 Paycheck Protection Program Fraud (press release here)
To find more about Department of Justice resources and information, please visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus.