05/14/2020: Social Distancing from More COVID – 19 Scams.

An increased amount of “family emergency” scams are being reported as scams continue to rise during the times of COVID – 19.

Some easy reminders can help us avoid falling victim to these “family emergency” scams.

If you receive a call or a message claiming to be a grandchild or other family member in desperate need of money – take a breath and remember to do the following:

• Try to resist acting on impulse.  Even though the story may be a dramatic one, it’s best to not act out of panic or urge.
• Verify the identity of the caller.  The best way to do this is to ask questions that the scammer could not possibly know the answer to. You can also place a call to the last known number you have for the caller and check to make sure it matches the one being used to call you. Try your best to fact check the story with other family members or friends of the caller.
• The caller will likely ask you to send cash or transfer money to their account.  Don’t.  Once you send cash or transfer money – it’s gone.

Unfortunately in uncertain times, scammers look for additional ways to take advantage of the circumstances.  Remember to always think logically and exercise an appropriate amount of caution to avoid falling victim to scams.