Feds warn about COVID contact tracing scams. Here’s what to do if you get a call
As public health officials work to get more contact tracing in place to slow the spread of the coronavirus, scammers are trying to get in on the act, too.
Federal officials say people need to be wary of fake contact tracers who may try to steal their money or personal information.
“Contact tracing scams often appear in the form of text messages or telephone calls seeking money, or Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers, along with other sensitive information not required for authentic contact tracing,” the Justice Department said in a press release.
Public health officials say contact tracing is an important tool to slow the COVID-19 pandemic. Legitimate contact tracers will never ask for personal details or send you a link to click on.
Officials say scammers can try to take advantage of contact tracing efforts in several ways. Some could offer fake tracing jobs to try to get someone to pay fees or hand over their Social Security number. Others could send emails or texts with links to malicious websites that could take over someone’s phone or computer.
“You may receive a call, email, text or visit from a contact tracer, and you should not hesitate to talk with them,” said Andrew Smith with the Federal Trade Commission. “But, beware if they ask you for money, bank account information, your Social Security number, or to click on a link, as those are sure signs of a scam.”
“As cities and states start to reopen for business and implement contact tracing measures in their reopening plans, the Department of Justice remains committed to preventing, prosecuting, and punishing rogue actors who seek to exploit these safety efforts and who attempt to steal money and sensitive information from citizens,” Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen said.
US has 28,000 coronavirus contact tracers, CDC says. It needs 72,000 more
Officials say contact tracing plays a crucial role in thwarting the spread of the coronavirus, and urge people to comply.
“Contact tracing is a core disease control activity. It has been used for decades by state and local health departments to slow or stop the spread of infectious disease,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“If you are diagnosed with COVID-19, a public health worker may call you to check-in on your health, discuss who you’ve been in contact with, and ask where you spent time while you may have been infectious and able to spread COVID-19 to others. You will also be asked to stay at home and self-isolate, if you are not doing so already,” the CDC said.
The warning from the Justice Department comes after several state attorneys general cautioned people about contact tracing scams around the country, McClatchy news reports.
The attorneys general said real contact tracers should already know things like your birthday — and may ask you to confirm the date — but you should never give personal information out to a possible scammer. And they would never ask for a payment or your Social Security number, McClatchy News reports.
Tracers also won’t tell people the name of the infected person they came in contact with, according to the CDC.
Real contact tracers working for state health departments should also be able to give you information about testing locations and how to make an appointment, according to the attorneys general.
