The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has posted information on its website about how to avoid scams during the COVID-19 pandemic. The FTC offers this advice to consumers:
- Don’t respond to texts, emails or calls about checks from the government. Read more at consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/04.
- Be wary of ads for test kits. Most test kits being advertised have not been approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), and aren’t necessarily accurate.
- Hang up on robocalls. Scammers are using illegal robocalls to pitch everything from low-priced health insurance to work-at-home schemes.
- Watch for emails claiming to be from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) or WHO (World Health Organization). Use sites such as Coronavirus.gov and USA.gov/coronavirus to get the latest information. Do not click on links from sources you don’t know.
- Do your homework when it comes to donations. Never donate in cash, by gift card, or by wiring money.
To download a complete guide or watch videos on how to avoid scams, to read about how COVID-19 impacts finances, or to view consumer complaint data, visit FTC.gov/coronavirus.
Published June 24, 2020
