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COVID-19 Fraud

In the face of the COVID-19 virus, your health and safety are the Department of Justice’s top priority.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi is on-duty to protect the citizens of Mississippi from fraudsters and criminals who seek to exploit this crisis for their profit.  We have heard reports of scammers using email phishing schemes that claim to be from legitimate health organizations, advertising counterfeit virus test kits, and seeking donations fraudulently for illegitimate or non-existent charitable organizations, all in an effort to exploit people’s anxiety and uncertainty.

Please don’t fall victim to these frauds and crimes.  If you see these frauds being attempted or if you are victimized by these frauds, please report them to the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline - 1-866-720-5721 - or via email to disaster@leo.gov or report them to AUSA for the Southern District of Mississippi Lynn Murray at 601-965-4480 or USAMSS-COVID19@usdoj.gov

 

The NCDF is a national coordinating agency with the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division. The NCDF’s mission is to improve and further the detection, prevention, investigation and prosecution of criminal conduct related to natural and man-made disasters, and to advocated for the victims of such offenses.  The NCDF Hotline is available to receive reports from the public of potential fraud 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Callers will be connected to a live operator or can leave a message detailing their reports.

Types of Coronavirus Scams and Frauds

Scammers have already devised numerous methods for defrauding people in connection with COVID-19. They are setting up websites, contacting people by phone and email, and posting disinformation on social media platforms. Some examples of scams linked to COVID-19 include:

  • Treatment scams:  Scammers are offering to sell fake cures, vaccines, and advice on unproven treatments for COVID-19.
  • Supply scams:  Scammers are creating fake shops, websites, social media accounts, and email addresses claiming to sell medical supplies currently in high demand, such as surgical masks. When consumers attempt to purchase supplies through these channels, fraudsters pocket the money and never provide the promised supplies.
  • Provider scams: Scammers are also contacting people by phone and email, pretending to be doctors and hospitals that have treated a friend or relative for COVID-19, and demanding payment for that treatment.
  • Charity scams: Scammers are soliciting donations for individuals, groups, and areas affected by COVID-19. 
  • Phishing scams: Scammers posing as national and global health authorities, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are sending phishing emails designed to trick recipients into downloading malware or providing personal identifying and financial information.
  • App scams: Scammers are also creating and manipulating mobile apps designed to track the spread of COVID-19 to insert malware that will compromise users’ devices and personal information. 
  • Investment scams: Scammers are offering online promotions on various platforms, including social media, claiming that the products or services of publicly traded companies can prevent, detect, or cure COVID-19, and that the stock of these companies will dramatically increase in value as a result. These promotions are often styled as “research reports,” make predictions of a specific “target price,” and relate to microcap stocks, or low-priced stocks issued by the smallest of companies with limited publicly available information. 
     
    How to Avoid Being Scammed or Defrauded:
    To avoid these and similar scams, be sure to take the following steps:
     
  • Independently verify the identity of any company, charity, or individual that contacts you regarding COVID-19. 
  • Check the websites and email addresses offering information, products, or services related to COVID-19. Be aware that scammers often employ addresses that differ only slightly from those belonging to the entities they are impersonating. For example, they might use “cdc.com” or “cdc.org” instead of “cdc.gov.” 
  • Be wary of unsolicited emails offering information, supplies, or treatment for COVID-19 or requesting your personal information for medical purposes. Legitimate health authorities will not contact the general public this way.
  • Do not click on links or open email attachments from unknown or unverified sources. Doing so could download a virus onto your computer or device. 
  • Make sure the anti-malware and anti-virus software on your computer is operating and up to date.
  • Ignore offers for a COVID-19 vaccine, cure, or treatment. Remember, if there is a medical breakthrough, you won’t hear about it for the first time through an email, online ad, or unsolicited sales pitch.
  • Check online reviews of any company offering COVID-19 products or supplies.  Avoid companies whose customers have complained about not receiving items.
  • Research any charities or crowdfunding sites soliciting donations in connection with COVID-19 before giving. Remember, an organization may not be legitimate even if it uses words like “CDC” or “government” in its name or has reputable looking seals or logos on its materials. For online resources on donating wisely, visit the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website. 
  • Be wary of any business, charity, or individual requesting payments or donations in cash, by wire transfer, gift card, or through the mail.  Don’t send money through any of these channels.
  • Be cautious of “investment opportunities” tied to COVID-19, especially those based on claims that a small company’s products or services can help stop the virus.  If you decide to invest, carefully research the investment beforehand.  For information on how to avoid investment fraud, visit the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) website.
  • For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) websites.
     
    If anyone believes they have been the victim of a COVID-19 fraud scheme, they are encouraged to contact federal, state, and local authorities.
Updated March 20, 2020