Coronavirus or COVID-19 Scams to Avoid
By Timothy Tibbetts |
Scammers can make good money at their trickery, and while many of us are in isolation, laid off, or working from home, the scammers are also not willing to take a pay cut. Here are some examples of the scams we've seen so far.
You've gotten the calls, emails, malware apps, and drive-by attempts, just to name a few, over the years. Consider the math. If you were to try and scam 1,000 people and it worked only 1 percent of the time, you can make a good living. Now, multiple that by 1,000, and factor in that many of these scams originate from countries where a buck is worth a whole lot more, and you can get rich!
While you might think this is ridiculous, consider this. The elderly are isolated and more vulnerable than ever before. Talk to your elderly grandparents or parents - please.
The bad guys prey on the vulnerable, so please, share this with your friends. If you know of any other scams, you can also leave a comment at the bottom of this article or email tim@majorgeeks.com.
Stay safe, be strong—much love from the team of three at MajorGeeks (Tim, Jim, Jon).
Robocalls might be fewer, but they are still being reported. Some of the scams include national quarantine or martial law warnings, fake charities, free test kits, HVAC cleaning, cures, and, well, everything else you're about to read. Don't recognize the phone number? Don't answer!
Work from home scams including the more known Vasty Health Care Foundation is trying to get your information using money laundering schemes. Use job-seeking apps, known websites, or your local news.
It is believed that Coronavirus could be the largest themed malware attack to date. Jiri Kropac, from ESET, told Forbes that they saw a spike of 2,500 infections from two malware strains in the second week of March alone. The malware is delivered by email. As always, don't open email attachments or click links.
Some are using claims they have a Corona antivirus to protect you. Ridiculous. One know site is antivirus-covid19.site.
Additionally, there is smartphone ransomware, and even the threat of sending your private photos and videos has made a return.
Spam emails are trying to sell you face mask or cures. Follow the golden rule - don't click links in emails and don't open file attachments. Don't unsubscribe. If you're on a spam list, you're just confirming your email for them.
Stimulus check scams started to appear right after approval of the stimulus bill. The most common scam is an email asking for your bank account information. Trust me; your government already has that information ;) Don't click links in emails.
Breaking news alerts in email or text messages.
Many domain names have been purchased with the words Coronavirus or covid in the names. The attempt is to make these websites appear legitimate. Expect more new scams to appear.
There have been numerous scams that mimic the most popular mapping websites, especially John Hopkins University. They typically require downloading an app from a website or email attachment.
Streaming services, especially Netflix, are being used to trick people into free services. They are using social media primarily and often ask you to share with ten people to spread their reach. One website is netflix-usa.net.
Free iPhones - Check your local or online retailers.
Android malware that promises to track the Coronavirus, but instead watches you through your camera, listens to your microphone and parses text messages. Check Google Play or Apple App Store for an app, or check out 5 Websites to Track the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Live.
Price gouging is nothing new. If you have seen price gouging, Google price gouging followed by your State to find the hotline.
Payday loans, usually offering $5,000
CBD oils being sold on what appears to be a Fox News website.
Numerous websites are claiming their products can cure the Coronavirus. Often these are natural or homeopathic solutions. The FDA and FTC are currently investigating Herbal Amy, Inc., N-Ergetics, Vital Silver, Quinessence Aromatherapy Ltd, GuruNanda, LLC, and Vivify Holistic Clinic.
While we can't believe this, as people should be social distancing, people are reporting that door-door-salesman are selling COVID tests or cleansers. If you have a ring doorbell, report to your community and the local police.
TV and Televangelists Kenneth Copeland has claimed to have healed people through their television screens, and Jim Bakker has been selling Silver Solution for years, which he also claims can cure STD's, something any Christian would need. Of course, now he claims it can cure Coronavirus.
Alex Jones is saved for last because he doesn't warrant your time. He sells a lot of different products, including dietary supplements, toothpaste, and creams, to get rid of the Coronavirus. The only virus we need to get rid of is Alex Jones.
Conclusion
According to the FTC, "There currently are no vaccines, pills, potions, lotions, lozenges or other prescription or over-the-counter products available to treat or cure coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19)—online or in stores."
Similar:
5 Websites to Track the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Live
Coronavirus Time Killer - Back Up Your Computer
Coronavirus or COVID-19 Scams to Avoid
Your Phone was Hacked Extortion Scam
Extortion Scam Claims to Have Recorded You on Adult Websites
Disney Plus Account Notice Scam
How to Report Online Scams, Spam Emails and More
How to Avoid Craigslist PayPal Scams
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You've gotten the calls, emails, malware apps, and drive-by attempts, just to name a few, over the years. Consider the math. If you were to try and scam 1,000 people and it worked only 1 percent of the time, you can make a good living. Now, multiple that by 1,000, and factor in that many of these scams originate from countries where a buck is worth a whole lot more, and you can get rich!
While you might think this is ridiculous, consider this. The elderly are isolated and more vulnerable than ever before. Talk to your elderly grandparents or parents - please.
The bad guys prey on the vulnerable, so please, share this with your friends. If you know of any other scams, you can also leave a comment at the bottom of this article or email tim@majorgeeks.com.
Stay safe, be strong—much love from the team of three at MajorGeeks (Tim, Jim, Jon).
Robocalls might be fewer, but they are still being reported. Some of the scams include national quarantine or martial law warnings, fake charities, free test kits, HVAC cleaning, cures, and, well, everything else you're about to read. Don't recognize the phone number? Don't answer!
Work from home scams including the more known Vasty Health Care Foundation is trying to get your information using money laundering schemes. Use job-seeking apps, known websites, or your local news.
It is believed that Coronavirus could be the largest themed malware attack to date. Jiri Kropac, from ESET, told Forbes that they saw a spike of 2,500 infections from two malware strains in the second week of March alone. The malware is delivered by email. As always, don't open email attachments or click links.
Some are using claims they have a Corona antivirus to protect you. Ridiculous. One know site is antivirus-covid19.site.
Additionally, there is smartphone ransomware, and even the threat of sending your private photos and videos has made a return.
Spam emails are trying to sell you face mask or cures. Follow the golden rule - don't click links in emails and don't open file attachments. Don't unsubscribe. If you're on a spam list, you're just confirming your email for them.
Stimulus check scams started to appear right after approval of the stimulus bill. The most common scam is an email asking for your bank account information. Trust me; your government already has that information ;) Don't click links in emails.
Breaking news alerts in email or text messages.
Many domain names have been purchased with the words Coronavirus or covid in the names. The attempt is to make these websites appear legitimate. Expect more new scams to appear.
There have been numerous scams that mimic the most popular mapping websites, especially John Hopkins University. They typically require downloading an app from a website or email attachment.
Streaming services, especially Netflix, are being used to trick people into free services. They are using social media primarily and often ask you to share with ten people to spread their reach. One website is netflix-usa.net.
Free iPhones - Check your local or online retailers.
Android malware that promises to track the Coronavirus, but instead watches you through your camera, listens to your microphone and parses text messages. Check Google Play or Apple App Store for an app, or check out 5 Websites to Track the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Live.
Price gouging is nothing new. If you have seen price gouging, Google price gouging followed by your State to find the hotline.
Payday loans, usually offering $5,000
CBD oils being sold on what appears to be a Fox News website.
Numerous websites are claiming their products can cure the Coronavirus. Often these are natural or homeopathic solutions. The FDA and FTC are currently investigating Herbal Amy, Inc., N-Ergetics, Vital Silver, Quinessence Aromatherapy Ltd, GuruNanda, LLC, and Vivify Holistic Clinic.
While we can't believe this, as people should be social distancing, people are reporting that door-door-salesman are selling COVID tests or cleansers. If you have a ring doorbell, report to your community and the local police.
TV and Televangelists Kenneth Copeland has claimed to have healed people through their television screens, and Jim Bakker has been selling Silver Solution for years, which he also claims can cure STD's, something any Christian would need. Of course, now he claims it can cure Coronavirus.
Alex Jones is saved for last because he doesn't warrant your time. He sells a lot of different products, including dietary supplements, toothpaste, and creams, to get rid of the Coronavirus. The only virus we need to get rid of is Alex Jones.
Conclusion
According to the FTC, "There currently are no vaccines, pills, potions, lotions, lozenges or other prescription or over-the-counter products available to treat or cure coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19)—online or in stores."
Similar:
5 Websites to Track the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Live
Coronavirus Time Killer - Back Up Your Computer
Coronavirus or COVID-19 Scams to Avoid
Your Phone was Hacked Extortion Scam
Extortion Scam Claims to Have Recorded You on Adult Websites
Disney Plus Account Notice Scam
How to Report Online Scams, Spam Emails and More
How to Avoid Craigslist PayPal Scams
comments powered by Disqus