Scammers are always in the lookout waiting for an opportunity to strike. The elderly have always been easy prey for scammers and fraudulent activities, regretfully since the Coronavirus break-out fraudulent activities have always been high. As of Aug. 23, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) had logged about 176,00 consumer complaints related to COVID-19 and stimulus payments, 68 percent of them involving fraud or identity theft. Victims have reported losing more than $118.1 million, with a median loss of $290.
We have compiled a list of the most common scams, read through and keep an eye out for:
- Hoarding or price-gouging of necessary supplies
- Anyone selling fake testing kits, treatments, or cures for COVID-19
- Robocalls and on-line shops offering to sell medical supplies with no intent to deliver
- Websites seeking donations for illegitimate or non-existent COVID-19 charities
- Phishing emails from entities posing as the CDC or WHO, which may contain malware
- `Social media and other on-line promotions of get-rich-quick COVID-19 investment opportunities
- Websites claiming to provide stimulus funds when consumers input their bank information
- Fraudulent medical billing for procedures related to COVID-19
- Threats to intentionally infect individuals with COVID-19
- Government loan scams scammers claiming to be able to provide government loans under the Payroll Protection Plan or the Small Business Administration.
Be vigilant, talk to the elderly in your family, and discuss the different threats mentioned above.
Lastly, report suspected COVID-19 fraud, call or email to the pertaining authorities. (US Attorney’s Office 1-866-720-5721).
At Residential Plaza we educate our residents and we keep them informed to avoid for them to be victim of these fraudulent activities. For more information on our community visit www.residentialplaza.com.