The emergence of the Corona virus scams or Covid-19 was first detected in Wuhan, China, in 2019. Initially mistaken for a common flu, the virus quickly spread like wildfire and has now affected 704,684,944 individuals worldwide. The pandemic’s impact on the global economy has been severe, with strict lockdown measures and international trade disruptions leading to job losses and income reduction for many.
As people sought various ways to make a living during these challenging times, a significant number turned to illegal activities, resulting in the rise of Coronavirus scams. These scams specifically targeted the older population, who are more susceptible to such schemes. Fraudsters and cybercriminals employed various tactics, including cold calls, fraudulent schemes, fake social media posts, phishing emails, and scam text messages.
Among the recent headlines, the vaccination scam gained prominence, where Corona virus scams claimed to offer early access to vaccines at a minimal cost or ahead of official distribution. This deception led to financial losses for countless individuals worldwide.
Vaccine and Home Remedy Scams
During the initial stages of the pandemic, scammers found a lucrative opportunity to exploit innocent individuals by offering false and easy at-home remedies to cure COVID-19 in exchange for money. These fraudsters would use cold calls and text messages to deceive people who lacked sufficient knowledge about the virus and its severity. Consequently, many fell victim to these COVID-19 scams, losing their hard-earned money.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, various health regulators issued warnings and published statements cautioning the public against such scams. Additionally, these regulators provided information about immunity-boosting remedies, clarifying that they do not offer a cure for the virus. In some other instances, scammers also attempted to dupe people by offering essential supplies like masks and sanitizers through text messages, advertisements, and calls.
Vaccine and Home Remedy Scams
The pandemic’s inception provided scammers with an opportunity to exploit innocent individuals, making their fraudulent activities more lucrative. Through cold calls and text messages, these scammers offered fake, easy at-home remedies for curing COVID-19 in exchange for money. Unfortunately, many people with limited knowledge of the virus became victims of these Covid scams, resulting in the loss of their hard-earned money.
Health regulators have responded to these scams by issuing warnings and statements cautioning the public against falling for such deceitful tactics. They have also clarified that while certain remedies may boost immunity, there is no cure for the virus. Furthermore, scammers have extended their fraudulent schemes to include essential supplies such as masks and sanitizers, using text messages, advertisements, and calls.
By being aware of these Covid or crypto scams, individuals can better protect themselves from falling victim to such fraudulent activities.
Identity Thefts and Corona virus scams
Identity theft emerged as a major concern during the pandemic, capturing headlines. In an attempt to encourage vaccination, people shared their vaccination cards and related details on social media platforms. Regrettably, this led to incidents of identity theft, as these cards contained valuable personal information. Seizing this opportunity, scammers exploited and collected personal data from multiple individuals, later selling it on the dark web, the hidden corners of the internet.
Charity for Corona virus scams
During the pandemic, a plethora of charitable organizations emerged worldwide, offering an easy way for people to contribute money or essential items to help those in need.
However, this wave of goodwill has attracted the attention of cybercriminals, who take advantage of the situation by establishing fake charities. These dishonest individuals misleadingly claim to utilize the donated funds for supporting distant countries in crisis. As a result, many well-intentioned donors end up losing substantial amounts of money to these scams.
The Fake Government Scams
This particular scam entails fraudsters assuming the guise of government authorities, reaching out to people via phone calls. These cunning scammers employ various deceitful pretexts to extract personal information or money from their targets. Although such calls were not uncommon before the pandemic, their frequency has escalated during lockdown periods. The excuses fabricated by these scammers often revolve around enticing topics like early vaccination registration or Covid check-ups.
Banking and Scams
Banking scams, which were already a concern prior to the pandemic, have gained greater momentum amid lockdown measures and the rapid spread of the virus. With limited access to physical banking services, people have become more exposed to these deceptive tactics. Scammers exploit the situation by employing phone calls or SMS, masquerading as legitimate bank authorities. They employ false pretenses, claiming the customer’s account has encountered problems or suffered losses. What’s alarming is that even in the absence of any genuine bank communication, individuals may unknowingly disclose their sensitive information to unknown callers.
Grandparent Scams
Designed to exploit the vulnerability of older people, these scams focus on targeting this particular generation. Scammers adeptly impersonate the victim’s grandchild, leveraging emotional manipulation to instill urgency and distress. In doing so, they hinder the grandparents from critically assessing the situation. The fraudsters commonly appeal for immediate money transfers to cover alleged travel, food, or medical costs.
How to Avoid Covid Scams
Here are some tips to avoid falling victim to Covid scams:
- Always conduct thorough research before donating to any charity or relief fund.
- Avoid answering calls from unfamiliar numbers and refrain from sharing personal information with strangers.
- Be cautious about sharing your personal details over the phone, as legitimate banks won’t ask for such information in this manner.
- Refrain from acting impulsively or sending money to someone claiming to be a close family member or friend without verifying their identity.
- Understand that home remedies may boost immunity but cannot cure Covid. Seek professional help if you experience symptoms.
During these challenging times, it is essential to stand together and support one another. Cooperation is vital in overcoming the virus and returning to normalcy. Remain vigilant against scammers and prioritize your safety.
If you fall victim to any type of Covid-19 scam, feel free to Contact Us for assistance in the fund recovery process.