How to Avoid Coronavirus Phone Scams

This pandemic is affecting people of all ages, and unfortunately, older adults are at the highest risk. Not only is age a contributing factor to COVID-19 complications, but scammers are working hard to prey upon people’s fears.

Scammers Trying to Profit from Coronavirus

When people are feeling scared, scammers know that it is a prime opportunity to take advantage of the situation. Coronavirus is a perfect situation for a scammer because people are experiencing fear based on a real problem happening around the world. 

One common strategy is for scammers to use robocalls as a way to impersonate reputable organizations. When the victim picks up the phone, the robocall taps into the fear surrounding Coronavirus then offers a product or service that seems like a reasonable solution to help with the current problems. These scams are carefully designed to tap into the vein of panic that many people are experiencing.

Protect Yourself Against Coronavirus Scams

Not only do you need to be washing your hands and following social distancing recommendations, but it is also important to protect yourself against these scams. If you receive a call from an unknown number, then be cautious about how you choose to proceed. The FTC has provided specific recommendations to follow:

• Hang up on robocalls – don’t press any numbers.
• Ignore offers for home test kits or vaccinations.
• Always fact-check the information.
• Don’t respond to emails or texts about government checks.
• Do your homework before donating to charities.

Apps for Blocking Robocalls

You can use apps to block calls for both iPhones and Android phones. Here are the most popular robocall-blocking tools:

• Robokiller
• Hiya
• Nomorobo

Another option is to talk to your phone provider to see if a personal block feature is available.

Our team at Greenwald & Gerke cares about your health and safety. We are working hard to share valuable information to keep the community updated and informed. If you need information about real estate services in retirement, then reach out to us at any time: (844) 782-9674.

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