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Coronavirus Scams

As we move through our new normal of living within a pandemic, criminals are taking advantage of this opportunity by trying to scam you! Scammers look to prey on your vulnerability and emotion in order to gain access to your personal information.

Now is the time to pay close attention to emails, phone calls, and even text messages, to make sure you don’t become a victim. This is especially true now with many of us receiving stimulus checks from the federal government.

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I have compiled a list of some of the current scams related to the COVID-19 Pandemic:

  • IRS Scam: There have been multiple reports of an IRS COVID-19 Stimulus Check phone scam. Remember, the IRS will never call and ask for personal or financial information. For additional information on possible IRS scams go to: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-scams-consumer-alerts
     
  • COVID-19 Cures: Do not click on or respond to any offers for a COVID-19 vaccine, cure, or treatment via emails, online ads, or unsolicited sales.
     
  • COVID-19 Supplies: Only purchase products and supplies from reputable companies. Research any deals and avoid companies whose customers have complained about not receiving items.
     
  • VPN Cyber Threat: With many of us working remotely, cyber attackers are likely to target home & work internet connections.
     
  • “County” utility calls: Summit County Emergency Management reports there have been calls from spoofed 643 numbers related to utility payments. These calls are not actually Summit County numbers and should be ignored.
     
  • Dominion Energy: Scammers are going door to door posing as Dominion Energy representatives and threatening to disconnect service unless payment is collected. The utility will never call, text or email customers to request personal information. All company employees carry a photo ID card. Residents can call Dominion Energy at 800.362.7557 to report a suspected scam.

If you think you are a victim of a scam or attempted fraud involving COVID-19, contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via email at disaster@leo.gov. Summit County residents can report scams to the Better Business Bureau of Akron at 330.253.4590. You can also report and review known scams at https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker. 

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