Epidemic of Coronavirus… Scams 

Shysters around the world are using COVID-19 to prey on people’s fears and earn a quick buck. 

The scammer’s playbook rarely changes; it just adapts to the present circumstances.

Crooks will generally cash in on two basic human weaknesses: greed and fear. The current pandemic presents an opportunity for both.

Stimulus Check Swindlers 

BE AWARE: Florida man warning others after getting fake coronavirus stimulus check in mail https://t.co/osNKTH9ghc

— FOX 5 DC (@fox5dc) March 30, 2020

The best cons play off of something real, something that victims already know about.

With the $2 trillion stimulus bill recently passed, Americans know that most of us will be receiving some direct assistance from Uncle Sam. However, many details of how this assistance will be implemented, including the cash disbursements, remain unclear. Criminals feed off of moments of uncertainty and fear. They feed off of a desire for a quick buck.

This particular moment offers an opportunity to capitalize on both these human instincts.

The FBI is already warning Americans not to provide their social security number, bank information, or any other personal details to anyone offering “stimulus checks”, even if the email appears to be from the government.

Such scams are quickly proliferating online. Deceptive emails targeting sensitive personal information, a technique known as phishing, are making their rounds, promising potential victims a fast-tracked check or loan when they need it most.

Misleading Amazon Products 

Amazon said it blocked or removed over 1 million products for suspect or misleading claims. News outlets reported the items were removed because of price gouging or falsely advertising effectiveness against the coronavirus. https://t.co/SqueMBnWNd

— WNEP (@WNEP) March 4, 2020

Amazon is receiving some heat during the pandemic. Early on, they allowed some price gouging on their site, and they’ve even been caught doing some gouging themselves.

Naturally, the public is irate with the commercial behemoth for taking advantage of the situation, especially given the near monopoly that the company has over ecommerce. During a time of highly restricted movement, buying online is often only option for acquiring certain products.

Unfortunately, in addition to price hikes on items like hand sanitizer, Amazon is also struggling to keep up with the wave of misleading products posted on the site during this difficult time for Americans.

Examples include a product titled “COVID-19 N95 Mask- Stay safe in these times”. As reviews indicate, customers were irate to find that, rather than the reasonable expectation of receiving a protective mask, they received a disaster preparation journal with a photo of an N-95 mask on the cover.

Fake Treatments

The FDA and FTC have also had to crack down on “snake oil” treatments, another staple in the conman’s toolkit. “Miracle” cures are as old as time, and are perhaps one of the most sinister scams for their predation on the already ill.

One such swindler was arrested recently in California. He was seeking investment for medications to treat and cure the virus.

“Yes I have Developed the Cure for the CoronaVirus COVID-19. After 6 Weeks of Intense Focus and Development (and very little sleep). I am currently going into Mass Production,” said Keith Middlebrook on his Instagram page. He used the page to market an “investment opportunity” in injections and pills that he claimed would cure the disease.

Federal authorities arrested Middlebrook when he delivered the pills to an undercover agent, along with the assurance that a $300,000 investment would quickly become $30 million.

To protect yourself during the pandemic, remember to practice social distancing from the con artists who seek to capitalize on uncertainty and fear. Stay vigilant, and remember the old adage: if it seems too good to be true, it usually is.