Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Crime News

Ashley Moody Issues Consumer Alert as New COVID-19 Related Scams Emerge as Virus Spreads

The scams run the gambit from text messages and phone calls to imposters posing as health workers offering free COVID-19 tests. Moody called for Floridians to be on the lookout for scams and never give out personal or financial information to solicitors.

On Tuesday, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody issued a Consumer Alert about new scams related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The scams run the gambit from text messages and phone calls to imposters posing as health workers offering free COVID-19 tests. Moody called for Floridians to be on the lookout for scams and never give out personal or financial information to solicitors.

“Sadly, scammers never stop trying to make a dishonest dollar—not even amid a pandemic. If you receive an unsolicited text message, email, phone call or any other communication claiming a cash payment, government benefit or other COVID-19 related offer, be very suspicious. Guard your personal and financial information and report scams to my office,” Moody said on Tuesday.

Moody’s office offered the following:

Over the weekend, reports emerged of text messages asking people to click on a link to claim a $1,000 payment, apparently connected to a COVID-19 federal stimulus package. The link most likely contained malware. Never click on any links in unsolicited messages, Moody’s office advised.

Several South Florida law enforcement agencies are issuing alerts about people dressed in white lab coats and masks impersonating Centers for Disease Control and Prevention workers. The imposters are reportedly knocking on doors and offering free COVID-19 tests. The CDC is not sending people door-to-door to test for COVID-19. If a CDC impersonator shows up at your door, do not let them in. Close the door and call 911.

The U. S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General is reporting a scam involving fraudsters calling older Americans and offering to mail them free COVID-19 test kits. The scammers claim all they need from the senior to send the free kit is the target’s Medicare number. Never provide health information, or any other personal information, in response to an unsolicited phone call.

These are just a few of the latest scams emerging as the COVID-19 virus continues to spread. Floridians should be reminded that if an offer seems too good to be true, then it is probably a scam.

Moody has activated Florida’s Price Gouging Hotline in response to the COVID-19 state of emergency. Consumers suspicious of price gouging can report it by calling 1-(866)-9NO-SCAM or by visiting MyFloridaLegal.com.

Price gouging can also be reported to the Attorney General’s Office by downloading the free NO SCAM app in the Android or Apple app store.

The Florida Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division issues Consumer Alerts to inform Floridians of emerging scams, new methods used to commit fraud, increased reports of common scams, or any other deceptive practice. Consumer Alerts are designed to notify Floridians about scams and available refunds in an effort to prevent financial losses or other harm caused by deceptive practices. Anyone encountering a scam should report the incident to the Florida Attorney General’s Office by calling 1-(866)-9NO-SCAM or visiting MyFloridaLegal.com. To view recent Consumer Alerts and for other information about avoiding scams, visit MyFloridaLegal.com/ConsumerAlert.

Author

  • Florida Daily offers news, insights and analysis as we cover the most important issues in the state, from education, to business and politics.

    View all posts

Archives

Related Stories

Crime News

Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution secured a 16-year sentence for a child predator for possessing and soliciting child pornography as well...

Crime News

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution is charging Russell Bruce Moncrief, a bail bondsman in Central Florida, with human trafficking and...

Florida Government & Politics

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—On National First Responders Day, Attorney General Ashley Moody, Tampa Bay Crisis Center President & CEO Clara Reynolds, Senator Jay Collins and law...

Political News

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is accusing the U.S. Department of Justice of impeding the state’s investigation of Ryan Wesley Routh, a potential assassin...

Political News

With the 2024 Presidential Election less than 20 days away, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody announced that the state is taking legal action against...

Florida Hurricanes

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody issued an official statement warning Floridians to be vigilant for price gouging, disaster scams and fraud in the aftermath...

Florida Government & Politics

Earlier this week, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird and 10 other state attorneys general today called on Congress to...

Florida News

Attorney General Ashley Moody is activating Florida’s Price Gouging Hotline following a state of emergency declaration for areas of the state preparing for Hurricane...