There are thieves out there, taking advantage of the COVID-19 crisis to hit people when they are most vulnerable. To do so, they are claiming association with organizations that you will recognize and may be turning to for news and information on coronavirus and other issues you and your family are facing. Most of the scams come in via email, but dishonest websites, telephones, faxes, and Facebook are also being used.
Our Lady of Peace is currently aware of two scams that could come into your laptop and/or cellular phone:
The World Health Organization (WHO)
According to WHO, many of the scams request detailed information and/or money from individuals, businesses or non-profit organizations with the promise they will receive funds or other benefits in return.
WHO would like to point out:
- They never ask for money or recruitment
- It is not WHO’s policy to charge registration fees for conferences or meetings
- They do not conduct lotteries, or offer prizes or awards via email
To read more about scams implying association with WHO, go to: https://www.who.int/about/scamalert/en/
MN Department of Human Services (DHS)
MN DHS is asking Minnesotans to beware of scammers making contact via Facebook Messenger. They received a report from a Minnesota resident who said they received a message from someone claiming to be with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division of DHS. Within the message, they requested a depth of personal information.
DHS wants you to know that their Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division would never ask for personal information via Facebook, so if you receive a message, report it to Facebook.
DHS also provided this link to the Federal Trade Commission/Consumer Information Division for more information on Coronavirus scams:
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/coronavirus-scams-what-ftc-doing
Now is a time to be on high alert for people wanting to take advantage of an already dire situation. Protect yourself and your family and friends by sharing this information.