Stay alert! Coronavirus scammers are ‘sick’
3/20/2020 | By Team United
During uncertain times, scammers are always looking for ways to take advantage of the public—and the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is no different. But United’s got your back!
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and other consumer advocate organizations are giving tips to help keep you up-to-date on the many ways fraudsters are targeting people during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Here’s what to look out for:
- Don’t click on links from sources you don’t know.
- Watch for emails claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or experts saying that have information about the virus.
- Ignore online offers for vaccinations, or advertisements touting prevention, treatment, or cure claims for the Coronavirus.
- Do your homework when it comes to donations, whether through charities or crowdfunding sites.
- Be aware of “investment opportunities” from companies claiming they can prevent, detect, or cure coronavirus.
United also provides tips on how to spot a scam, and to know if we’re contacting you, or if it might be a scammer posing as a credit union employee to get your secure information.
Remember, United will never ask for:
- Your full social security number, debit or credit card numbers (including the 3-digit verification code on the back), PIN, and other types of unique identifying numbers
- Secure access codes received via text, email, or phone
- Passwords for your accounts
If you believe you have been targeted by a scammer, you can fight back.
1. Report the incident on the U.S. government-operated website http://www.us-cert.gov/nav/report_phishing.html.
2. Also try USA.gov located at: https://www.usa.gov/stop-scams-frauds#item-35157.
