COVID-19 scams and misinformation

Shysters always come up with ways to scam good people. We must all try to help each other prevent these people from taking advantage of us and the older adults we love. Some current scams involving the COVID-19 pandemic are listed below:

1. Test kit scams

People may go door to door or send a mailer selling fake test kits or performing fakes tests for money. Remember, your insurance will cover any testing you need through your doctor, local clinic, or hospital.

2. Contact tracing scams

Your local health department will not ask you to pay for tracing who you may have been in contact with. They also will not ask for your personal information including social security number, credit card number, immigration status, etc. They may even threaten someone with ICE if they don’t comply. This is definitely a scam.

3. Mask exemption cards

No such card exists or is offered. Scammers are trying to sell cards saying the bearer doesn’t have to wear a mask due to a disability.

4. Prevention scams

Individuals and companies are making claims their product prevents disease by boosting, supporting, or strengthening the immune system. There are no facts to support these claims and these products should be ignored.

5. Research for COVID-19

No one will call, text, or email you to participate in COVID-19 research. Many will offer you money or a payment so you provide them with personal information. They are just trying to get your information to steal from you. There is no such research.

Please remember to verify any information given to you by discussing with experts in the field they work. If someone contacts you and offers you something too good to be true, needs immediate financial assistance (but says ‘don’t contact my mom, dad, sister, etc.’), or even that you’ll be arrested if you don’t send money right away, they are scamming you.

Elderwerks Educational Services : 251 E. Northwest Highway, Palatine, IL 60067: 855.462.0100 : https://www.elderwerks.org/