--- title: Coronavirus Scams Are on the Rise description: Here's what to watch for — and how to protect your money authors: - name: Julia Glum role: Managing Editor url: https://money.com/author/julia-glum/ bio: Julia Glum joined Money in 2018 and specializes in covering financial trends that affect everyday Americans' wallets. She also writes Dollar Scholar, a weekly newsletter that teaches young adults how to navigate the messy world of money. education: University of Florida at_money_since: 2018 articles: 453 covers: - Economy and Politics - Banking - Business - Career Advice - Credit - Credit Cards - Debt - Education - Health and Wellness - Housing - Identity Theft - Insurance - Investing - Lifestyle - Loans - Mortgages - Personal Finance - Professional Services - Retirement - Shopping - Taxes - Technology also_seen_in: - Newsweek - International Business Times - CBS News - Good Morning America - WUSA9 - Pix 11 - The New York Times - Mashable - The Washington Post - CNBC - Politico social: - https://x.com/superjulia - https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-glum published: '2020-03-10T15:54:24.000Z' modified: '2024-01-10T15:27:49.000Z' section: Economy and Politics tags: - coronavirus - covid-19 word_count: 419 canonical: https://money.com/coronavirus-scams/ type: Article source: structured-blocks --- > **Disclosure:** We research all brands listed and may earn a fee from our partners. Research and financial considerations may influence how brands are displayed. Not all brands are included. [Learn more](https://money.com/page/disclaimer/). ![Coronavirus_Scam](https://img.money.com/2020/03/gettyimages-1205739966_scam.jpg) In a matter of weeks, the coronavirus outbreak has roiled global [markets](https://money.com/coronavirus-stock-market-what-to-do/), canceled major events and inspired a run on hand sanitizer. Now, it could be helping fraudsters steal your money. Several [state](https://www.oag.state.va.us/consumer-protection/index.php/scams-information/scam-alerts) [and](https://ncdoj.gov/consumer-alert-dont-let-scammers-exploit-your-coronavirus-fears/) [federal](https://www.secretservice.gov/data/press/releases/2020/20-MAR/Secret_Service_Coronavirus_Phishing_Alert.pdf) government offices have issued alerts warning the public about scammers looking to capitalize on coronavirus fears. From websites peddling fake cures to messages claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the scams come in various forms but pose a big threat to panicked consumers. "There already is a high level of anxiety over the potential spread of coronavirus," Federal Trade Commission Chairman Joe Simons said in a [news release](https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2020/03/ftc-fda-send-warning-letters-seven-companies-about-unsupported). "What we don’t need in this situation are companies preying on consumers by promoting products with fraudulent prevention and treatment claims." Examples of coronavirus scams include: - emails claiming to be from the CDC or World Health Organization with attachments purporting to contain information about the coronavirus (they don't — these are phishing emails) - [offers](https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2020/03/ftc-fda-send-warning-letters-seven-companies-about-unsupported) for coronavirus treatments, including vaccinations and cures (there are none) - requests for donations to charity or crowdfunding campaigns supporting coronavirus victims (WHO [does not](https://www.who.int/about/communications/cyber-security?mod=article_inline) ask directly for donations) - promotions suggesting certain companies' stock are about to rise in value because they can detect or stop the coronavirus (these [may be](https://www.sec.gov/oiea/investor-alerts-and-bulletins/ia_coronavirus) pump-and-dump schemes, and investors could lose money) - [messages](https://blog.knowbe4.com/exploiting-the-coronavirus-the-spammers-the-scammers-and-the-bad-guys?utm_content=120601235&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin&hss_channel=lis-TEZp_Z6yIE) allegedly from human resources departments that link out to a list of affected regions if the recipient logs in (they're actually stealing passwords) - emails asking people to download programs to help speed up the process of finding a coronavirus cure (these then install [malware](https://usa.kaspersky.com/blog/coronavirus-used-to-spread-malware-online/20213/)) - [robocalls](https://www.3newsnow.com/news/coronavirus/coronavirus-robocall-scam-circulating-in-omaha-area) informing patients that they've tested positive for the coronavirus (hospitals generally don't share serious test results via robocall) - social media posts [suggesting](https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/statement-charlotte-petri-gornitzka-unicef-deputy-executive-director-partnerships) that avoiding cold foods like ice cream can prevent the coronavirus (it doesn't) Though officials are cracking down on these scammers and others, there are steps you can take to protect yourself — and your wallet — from coronavirus cons. To stay safe, the FTC [recommends](https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/02/coronavirus-scammers-follow-headlines) you don't click on links from people you don't know, check your antivirus software and thoroughly research any requests for donations. The Securities and Exchange Commission says to be careful when presented with coronavirus-linked investment opportunities. And finally, the Better Business Bureau [reminds](https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/21626-scam-alert-afraid-of-getting-sick-dont-fall-for-a-coronavirus-con) you to be skeptical of miracle cures. 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