INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Robocalls have been targeting the vulnerable and unsuspecting for years, so it no surprise that the scumbags would take advantage of the
current global catastrophe to enhance their scams
The FCC warns that it has received numerous reports of coronavirus-related robocall cons in the wild — here what to look for.
While
previous robocall scams threatened IRS penalties or promised free vacations, the new ones are using both pandemic-related and personal
information to make what could for some be a pretty convincing pitch
Here are a few common scams the FCC has been alerted to:
Warnings of national quarantine or martial law — these could be trying to get
you to order something or just part of a coordinated disinformation campaign
Messages purporting to be from the WHO or charities asking for
money
Offers of free virus test kits — some of these are targeting individuals with diabetes specifically, offering a free blood sugar
monitor as well
Offering HVAC cleaning or upgrades to protect against the virus
Promotions of various bogus products and treatments for the
virus
Asking for information to confirm a check from the government — the process for this if it happens will not be a random text
message
The FCC post has some examples, including audio, of some of these scams, in case you&re wondering what it might sound like to
receive a malicious HVAC solicitation.
As a general robocall rule, unknown numbers — especially from your home area code — are a red
Let them go to message and you can always listen later
If it a local business saying your order ready or a hospital reminding you of your appointment, they&ll say so.
Anyone asking for personal
or payment info over phone, text or email is almost certainly a scammer
There is almost never any need to share this information insecurely.
Links in text messages from unknown or suspicious numbers are never to
They may lead to being hacked or tracked via means hosted on the web.
Stay safe out there, and let hope the upcoming regulatory framework
aimed at combating robocalls does the trick.
