COVID-19 scams are hitting businesses and consumers.
Triple Check Incoming Calls, Texts, and Emails
COVID-19 Scams. Scammers are on the hunt! Many COVID-19 scams pretend to be from the IRS, CDC, your bank and/or credit union, and charities to get you to click on links that steal your private information and hack your life.
- Phone scammers are offering fake work-from-home jobs, easy access to COVID-19 vaccinations or treatment, & cash deposits from the government – Don’t be a victim!
- If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is– especially with text messages or emails relating to employment offers, financial aid, and COVID-19 cures and meds. If you click on links in these texts and emails, you could get viruses on your device.
Double and triple-check the URL search bar above when dealing with your bank institution to ensure that you are entering your information on a legitimate website. If you’re suspicious, don’t click on any links within the email.
Choose STRONG Passwords and Change Often
Lastly, make sure the passwords you use are STRONG and have many variations of characters and symbols to have the highest security available if hackers try repeatedly to log in to your financial accounts.
BBC News has reported that Google is currently doing its best to block over 18 million scam e-mails PER DAY that steal personal information when phishing links are clicked on.
The Federal Communications Commission’s COVID-19 Consumer Warnings and Safety Tips provides a good list of tips to help protect you from different types of scams:
- Do not respond to calls or texts from unknown numbers, or any others that appear suspicious.
- Never share your personal or financial information via email, text messages, or over the phone.
- Be cautious if you’re being pressured to share any information or make a payment immediately.
- Scammers often spoof phone numbers to trick you into answering or responding. Remember that government agencies will never call you to ask for personal information or money.
- Do not click any links in a text message. If a friend sends you a text with a suspicious link that seems out of character, call them to make sure they weren’t hacked.
- Always check on a charity (for example, by calling or looking at its actual website) before donating. (Learn more about charity scams.)
As a reminder, DealerXT will NEVER ask you for the following information in an email:
• Your Social Security Number
• Your personal home address
• Your personal passwords
• Your bank account’s PIN number
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