How to spot a COVID-19 scam

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By STHS Communication Department

While the rest of us are working as diligently as possible to prevent the spread of COVID-19 so we can all get back to our normal, pre-COVID lives, at least one group of people is using the novel coronavirus as a tool for taking advantage of others.

According to the Federal Communications Commission, scammers have been posing as government-hired contract tracers in an effort to get personal information from unsuspecting victims. Such communication may come as a call, text message or email.

Legitimate contract tracers are hired by municipal or state health departments to contact and interview COVID-19 patients. They then reach out to people who may have come into contact with those COVID patients to let them know they may have been exposed to the novel coronavirus.

According to the Louisiana Department of Health, state-hired contract tracers will only call from the number 877-766-2130. It is advised that Louisiana residents add that number to their mobile phone contacts so they will recognize it should they be called. Other numbers should be considered suspect.

The FCC also offers the following tips to help you protect yourself from scams, including coronavirus scams:

• Do not respond to calls or texts from unknown numbers, or any others that appear suspicious.
• Never share your personal or financial information via email, text messages or over the phone, even if you’re dealing with what you suspect is a legitimate contact tracer.
• Phishing emails often try to create a sense of urgency or demand immediate action. The goal is to get you to click on a link and provide personal information “right now.” Instead, delete the message.
• Scammers often impersonate, or “spoof,” legitimate phone numbers to trick you into answering or responding.  Remember that government agencies will never call you to ask for personal information or money.
• Phishing emails are unlikely to use your name. Greetings like “Dear sir or madam” signal an email is not legitimate.
• If an email includes spelling, punctuation and/or grammar errors, it’s likely a sign you’ve received a phishing email. Delete it.
• Do not click any links in a text message. If a friend sends you a text with a suspicious link that seems out of character, call them to make sure they weren't hacked.
• You can inspect a link by hovering your mouse button over the URL to see where it leads. Sometimes, it’s obvious the web address is not legitimate -- but keep in mind phishers can, and often do, create links that closely resemble legitimate addresses.
• Always check on a charity – for example, by calling or looking at its actual website – before donating. (Learn more about charity scams.)