Consumers urged to be vigilant about virus-related scams
By Eric Seiverling
eseiverling@yourmvi.com
Hospitals, businesses and schools aren’t the only ones feeling the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
Law enforcement officials are alerting the public that criminals are using scam tactics to take advantage of people’s trust and gain access to bank accounts and personal information.
The U.S. Secret Service issued a warning this week saying the virus provides a prime opportunity for criminals to scam the public.
“The coronavirus is a much more potent opportunity for enterprising criminals because it plays on one of the basest human conditions … fear,” the statement reads. “Fear can cause normally scrupulous individuals to let their guard down and fall victim to social engineering scams, phishing scams, non-delivery scams, auction fraud scams, etc.”
Phishing scams are described as criminals using the wide distribution of mass emails posing as legitimate organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the World Health Organization.
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