COOPERATIVE KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY HELPFUL INFO

Information about the Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension Program 2020

Be Alert! Watch out for Scam Artists During COVID-19

Gill Finley, State Specialist for Community Resource Development

There are so many unanswered concerns surrounding COVID-19 as it spreads all over the United States. Attentions are focused on the spread of the virus, which leaves gaps for scam artists to operate. Kentucky farmers and businesses should be on alert, watching out for the sneaky, quiet and harmful scam artists who operate "like a fox." Scam artists look for easy prey, especially during a disaster.

Scam artists are opportunists who capitalize off the fears and chaos surrounding disasters. They cunningly set up fake websites and use emails to sell counterfeit products or promised services to individuals. They utilize social media posts, blogs and texts as fake baits to fish out personal information in order to take money and sell or use personal information. Be aware of certain information sent to you via email and Facebook that attempts to draw a response from you. Messages could include enticing information advertising free business loans or sharing false information detailing extreme losses of people within your county. They will use known health organizations’ names to set up fake emails to appear legitimate, but may have vicious malware attachments to the email. Scammers are good at soliciting donations in attempt to get bank routing numbers and your personal information by calling it relief help.

Be aware of certain information sent to you via email and Facebook that attempts to draw a response from you. Messages could include enticing information advertising free business loans or sharing false information detailing extreme losses of people within your county. They will use known health organizations' names to set up fake emails to appear legitimate, but may have vicious malware attachments to the email. Scammers are good at soliciting donations in attempt to get bank routing numbers and your personal information by calling it relief help.

Here are some helpful tips to stay alert from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC):

• Avoid opening unfamiliar links you do not know. Make sure your anti-malware and anti-virus software is up to date.
• If you receive new information about the coronavirus, you can check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) websites. All updates and information will be listed on their sites.