Coronavirus Testing Robocalls See a Spike
As the U.S. continues to struggle to meet the need for coronavirus testing, some scammers are beginning to call people and offer them free tests. Consumers should be on the lookout for these coronavirus testing robocalls.
Who Is It Targeting: Phone users
What Is It: Robocalls that steal personal information
What Are They After: While robocalls can be a nuisance, scammers have found a new way to make people pay attention and play along. Anything that makes headline news is increasing scammers’ ability to lure people in. While hospitals around the country struggle to get enough COVID-19 testing supplies, these coronavirus testing robocalls offer the recipient a free test in their area. However, in order to find out where the nearest test location may be, consumers have to hand over personal information.
How Can You Avoid It:
- For the most accurate COVID-19 information and testing options, follow your local news outlets or the CDC’s website
- Never give out all of your information or any form of payment to someone who contacts you
- Never confirm your identity for a caller because they should know who they have called
If you think you may be a victim of identity theft or have received coronavirus testing robocalls, you can contact the Identity Theft Resource Center for toll-free, no-cost assistance at 888.400.5530. You can also live chat with an expert advisor. Find more information about current scams and alerts here. For full details of this scam check out this article from CNN.com.
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