By Jennifer Danner

Seattle Police Southwest Precinct

Crime Prevention Coordinator

Scammers are taking advantage of fears surrounding the Coronavirus. In response, the Federal Trade Commission has posted information on their website regarding these scams and tips for avoiding them. I’m including the general tips below. When you go to this page, I encourage you to look at the Blog Posts and the Scammy Calls About the Coronavirus sections. Both have numerous articles that you may find helpful. 

The below information is courtesy of the Federal Trade Commission-https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/coronavirus-scams-what-ftc-doing 

Avoid Coronavirus Scams 

Here are some tips to help you keep the scammers at bay: 

• Hang up on robocalls. Don’t press any numbers. Scammers are using illegal robocalls to pitch everything from scam Coronavirus treatments to work-at-home schemes. The recording might say that pressing a number will let you speak to a live operator or remove you from their call list, but it might lead to more robocalls, instead. 
• Ignore online offers for vaccinations and home test kits. Scammers are trying to get you to buy products that aren’t proven to treat or prevent the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) — online or in stores. At this time, there also are no FDA-authorized home test kits for the Coronavirus. Visit the FDA to learn more.
• Fact-check information. Scammers, and sometimes well-meaning people, share information that hasn’t been verified. Before you pass on any messages, contact trusted sources. Visit What the U.S. Government is Doing for links to federal, state and local government agencies. 
• Know who you’re buying from. Online sellers may claim to have in-demand products, like cleaning, household, and health and medical supplies when, in fact, they don’t. 
• Don’t respond to texts and emails about checks from the government. The details are still being worked out. Anyone who tells you they can get you the money now is a scammer. 
• Don’t click on links from sources you don’t know. They could download viruses onto your computer or device.
• Watch for emails claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or experts saying they have information about the virus. For the most up-to-date information about the Coronavirus, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). 
• Do your homework when it comes to donations, whether through charities or crowdfunding sites. Don’t let anyone rush you into making a donation. If someone wants donations in cash, by gift card, or by wiring money, don’t do it. 

Here are some other useful links: 

-https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0020-shopping-online 

-https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/03/checks-government 

-https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-avoid-phishing-scams 

-https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html 

-https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019 

-https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/04/want-get-your-coronavirus-relief-check-scammers-do-too-https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/03/socially-distancing-covid-19-robocall-scams -https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/03/now-more-ever-spot-scams-ftcscambingo