Scammers are posing as COVID-19 contact tracers as a way to steal personal information, three major U.S. government agencies said on Tuesday, describing 'rapidly evolving' fraud related to the pandemic.
Few people wear masks as they walk on the beach pier during the global outbreak of the coronavirus disease in Oceanside, California, June 22, 2020. REUTERS/Mike Blake
- Scammers are posing as COVID-19 contact tracers as a way to steal personal information, three major U.S. government agencies said on Tuesday, describing “rapidly evolving” fraud related to the pandemic. The U.S. Department of Justice, Department of Health and Human Services and Federal Trade Commission warned that fake contact tracers were asking for money and trying to collect social security numbers, bank and credit card information from individuals.
Contact-tracing is a disease control tactic in which authorities identify and test people who were recently near a virus carrier, based on the patient’s interactions. “COVID-19 fraud is rapidly evolving. Operating contact tracing schemes is just one method that criminals use to target unsuspecting patients nationwide, attempting to steal their personal information and commit healthcare fraud,” said HHS Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Gary Cantrell.Reporting by Uday Sampath in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Henderson and Shounak Dasgupta
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
'Face mask exempt' cards circulating online are fraudulent, says DoJCards which were being offered for sale online purporting to exempt the bearer from ordinances requiring face coverings to be worn in public are fraudulent, according to Department of Justice officials.
Read more »
Beware of fake coronavirus antibody tests, the FBI warnsScammers continue to capitalize on coronavirus misinformation by offering fake antibody tests, the FBI warned, which could be used to steal personal information.
Read more »
Cardi B Was (Falsely) Accused Of Having A Fake Instagram…But THESE Celebrities Actually Have Fake Social Media AccountsCardi B Was (Falsely) Accused Of Having A Fake Instagram…But These Celebrities Actually Have Fake Social Media Accounts (via Bossip)
Read more »
Jobbie Nooner, blowback at bars, fake mask exemptions: News from around our 50 statesAn annual day of boating revelry had one Michigan official concerned about the “very big possibility of spreading the COVID.”
Read more »
Beware of fake coronavirus antibody tests, the FBI warnsScammers continue to capitalize on coronavirus misinformation by offering fake antibody tests, the FBI warned, which could be used to steal personal information.
Read more »