The general public is being asked to help combat a growing concern born out of the coronavirus pandemic, new scam efforts.
Friday, US Attorney Stephen McAllister urged any and all residents who suspect fraudulent schemes, utilizing fears of COVID-19 to benefit financially, to report it immediately to the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF). McAllister provided several examples of fraudulent behavior for residents to be aware of including:
* Individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19 online.
* Phishing emails from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
* Malicious websites and apps that appear to share Coronavirus-related information to gain and lock access to your devices until payment is received.
* Seeking donations fraudulently for illegitimate or non-existent charitable organizations.
McAllister says anyone and everyone found to be engaging in fraudulent activities such as these, or others, will be arrested and prosecuted. Citizens may contact the NCDF through its hotline by calling 1-866-720-5721, or by emailing disaster@leo.gov.
Additionally, Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen issued a memorandum to all US Attorney’s Thursday asking that they designate a Coronavirus Fraud Coordinator. The coordinator’s responsibilities will include serving as legal counsel for the federal judicial district on matters relating to the Coronavirus, directing the prosecution of Coronavirus-related crimes, and conducting outreach and awareness activities.
Kansas’ Coronavirus Fraud Coordinator is Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Rask. For more information visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Medicare is also issuing a call for vigilance when it comes to possible scams. Medicare says scammers may tell patients they will send a coronavirus test, masks or other items in exchange for a Medicare number or other personal information.
Participants in Medicare are told to guard their card information like they would a credit card — only giving Medicare numbers to participating pharmacists, primary or specialty care doctors and people you trust to work with Medicare on their behalf — and check their claims summary forms for errors.
Medicare representatives will never call to ask for or check numbers.
And the Food and Drug Administration is also “actively and aggressively” monitoring the market for firms peddling fraudulent COVID-19 claims, including diagnostic, prevention and treatment.
The FDA has not authorized any home tests for the virus, making that statement after discovering unauthorized test kits being marketed across the country. The FDA says it will issue warning letters, seizures or injunctions in these cases, and it is asking residents who know of fraudulent test kits to report them to the agency.
