Beware: Scammers targeting COVID-19 concerns, IRS, more

From those hawking at-home testing kits (which are actually unavailable) to those seeking personal banking information, claiming they will help process your federal relief checks -- federal, state and local officials are all warning the public to be aware of a number of possible scams currently preying on citizens’ Coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns.

As the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) begins making COVID-19 economic impact payments in the next few weeks, U.S. Attorney Joseph D. Brown and IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Tamera Cantu want to warn local Texans that criminals are well aware these payments are coming and unsolicited phone calls, emails, text messages or other communications pretending to be from the IRS are likely a scam.
“We want the public to be very careful as these checks and payments go out,” U.S. Attorney Joe Brown said in a statement released from the Eastern District of Texas U.S. Attorney’s Office. “We want these funds to be used for the right purposes. People need to use healthy skepticism about any contact they receive that deals with the payments they will soon be receiving.”

Dallas Field Office IRS Agent Cantu offers the following tips to spot a scam and how citizens can report fraudulent activities:

• The IRS will NOT call and ask you to verify your payment details. Do NOT give bank account, debit account or PayPal account information to anyone, even if they claim it’s necessary to get your check. It’s a scam.

• If you receive a call, do NOT engage with scammers, even if you want to tell them that you know it’s a scam. Just hang up.

• If you receive texts or emails claiming that you can get your money faster by sending personal identifying information or clicking on links, delete these texts and emails. Do NOT click on any links in those texts or emails.

• If you receive a “check” for an odd amount (especially one with cents), or a check that requires you to verify the check online or by calling a number, it’s a scam.

• Remember, scammers change tactics. Callers can be aggressive and threatening. Do not be bullied into disclosing information or in making any payment.

“As the agency responsible for issuing economic impact payments, the IRS unfortunately expects some bad actors to execute fraud schemes in an attempt to take advantage of the situation,” Cantu said. “IRS-CI will work diligently with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Texas, and all of our law enforcement partners to disrupt and dismantle any fraud schemes related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the time for every American to be vigilant in this fight against criminals and safeguard your personal and other privileged information.”

Get the most up-to-date information directly from the IRS at irs.gov.

Residents of east Texas can contact the local IRS-CI field office at DallasFieldOffice@ci.irs.gov.

Other scams currently making the rounds involve ‘selling’ at-home test kits, treatments or cures for COVID-19 through phone calls, social media or emails.

Even those claiming to provide in-demand products such as cleaning and household supplies may simply take an order and payment, but never deliver.

“Using your emotions against you is a common tactic used by scam artists,” Tyler’s Better Business Bureau-Serving Central East Texas President Mechele Agbayani Mills said. “In every situation, including the current crisis, it’s important to make all decisions based on facts, not fears.”

Scammers are also pretending to be doctors and hospitals claiming to have treated a friend or relative for COVID-19 and demanding payment. Still others are attempting to gain personal banking information or Social Security numbers by posing as a health authority such as the World Health Organization (WHO) or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

There are even those who will solicit donations for nonexistent charities, often using names similar to those of real charities.

To avoid becoming a victim of fraud, the public is cautioned to stay up-to-date with information from legitimate sources.

Research any charities or crowdfunding sites before donating.

Be watchful for any business or individual who requests payments or donations in cash, by wire transfer, gift cards or other unconventional payment method.

Remember the government will not call to request bank information or Social Security numbers.

Visit these sites to learn about current scams or how to avoid becoming a victim:

• the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov;

• the U.S. Department of Homeland Security at uscert.gov; and

• the Better Business Bureau at bbb.org.
To report fraud, contact:

• the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) at (866) 720-5721 or email, disaster@leo.gov;

• EDTX COVID-19 Fraud Coordinator Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank Coan at (903) 590-1400; or

• the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) at (800) 225-5324 or online at tips.fbi.gov.