COVID-Related Scams: During the Pandemic, and Increase in Scams Prey on the Climate of Uncertainty

Since the onset of the pandemic, the already prevalent problems of scams have gotten worse, often using some reference to COVID-19 to target people--particularly older people. Some pose as contact tracers to get private information; others claim to offer cures or tests--for a price--to prey on victims. We will learn about the nature of these scams, and what to do to spot them--or to deal with the aftermath if you've fallen for one.   

• Seth Boffeli, advisor, AARP Fraud Watch Network team
• Aaron Frey, Attorney General, State of Maine

• Americans Have Lost $145 Million to Coronavirus Fraud
• Versant Power Warns Of Scammers Impersonating Company Officials, Threatening Disconnections
• FCC - Coronavirus Scams - Consumer Resources
• Beware of Robocalls, Texts and Emails Promising COVID-19 Cures or Stimulus Payments
• Common Consumer Scams
• Coronavirus-related Scam Advice for Consumers