Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes ofwebsite accessibility

FBI: Fraud schemes on the rise amid virus outbreak


The FBI warns of a rise in fraud schemes amid the COVID-19 outbreak. (WWMT/File)
The FBI warns of a rise in fraud schemes amid the COVID-19 outbreak. (WWMT/File)
Facebook Share IconTwitter Share IconEmail Share Icon

In a written statement on Monday, FBI representatives said fraud schemes were on the rise during the coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, outbreak.

They said extra precautions should be taken before:

  • Clicking on links that say they provide information about the virus
  • Donating to a charity online or through social media
  • Contributing to a crowdfunding campaign
  • Purchasing products online
  • Giving personal information in exchange for money or benefits


Fake CDC emails

The FBI said emails claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or other health organizations could be dangerous.

They reminded people not to click unfamiliar links or open strange attachments, as fraudsters could use them to deliver malware and steal personal information, or to lock the computer and demand payment.

FBI representatives said websites and apps claiming to track COVID-19 cases could carry the same risks.


Phishing emails

Phishing emails ask you to verify your personal information in order to receive money or benefits. In many cases, this includes a stimulus check from the government.

The FBI's statement stressed that, while talk of stimulus checks had been in the news, government agencies would not send unsolicited emails asking for private information.

They said dangerous emails could also claim to be related to:

  • Charitable contributions
  • General financial relief
  • Airline carrier refunds
  • Fake cures and vaccines
  • Fake testing kits


Counterfeit treatments or equipment

The FBI advised caution when buying products that claim to prevent, treat, diagnose or cure COVID-19. Popular counterfeit products included:

  • Sanitizing products
  • N95 respirator masks
  • Goggles
  • Full-face shields
  • Protective gowns
  • Gloves
  • Other forms of personal protective equipment

They recommended visiting the following agencies' websites for more information about counterfeit products:

To report counterfeit products, they recommended visiting the FBI's Criminal Complaint Center or the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center.


Other information

For accurate and up-to-date information, the FBI said the CDC would update their website frequently. They also said the federal government had created a website dedicated to COVID-19.

They also said primary care physicians would be able to provide individual guidance.

The FBI recommended taking the following steps to prevent falling victim to fraud:

  • Do not open attachments or click links within emails from senders you don't recognize.
  • Do not provide your username, password, date of birth, social security number, financial data, or other personal information in response to an email or robocall.
  • Always verify the web address of legitimate websites and manually type them into your browser.
  • Check for misspellings or wrong domains within a link (for example, an address that should end in ".gov" ends in ".com" instead).

To report fraud, they recommended visiting the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Loading ...