AARP Hearing Center
The U.S. Secret Service is warning that cybercriminals are trying to steal from people using several scams tied to the coronavirus pandemic.
"As more and more people have tested positive for coronavirus, we've seen an increase in the number of scams that are occurring,” says Special Agent Chris McMahon, who spoke to AARP in an interview on Monday.
McMahon, who is with the agency's Global Investigative Operations Center, says overseas partners including Interpol and Europol alerted law enforcement here to these schemes, which, like the virus itself, have seeped into the U.S. The Washington-based center combats cyber-enabled financial crime.
There are different coronavirus swindles, he warns, adding that there are fundamental ways consumers can protect themselves from losing cash or divulging sensitive personal data.
"You always want to be vigilant,” McMahon says.
As more and more people telework, they're relying increasingly on email, so additional scams are forecast, the Secret Service says, urging extra caution.
One sickness, many sick scams
The Secret Service gave AARP a PowerPoint presentation covering a variety of schemes that pose a threat. In the presentation was an email with the words “Wuhan Viral Advisory,” which offered “promising treatments.” Currently, there is no vaccine or cure for the coronavirus.
An example of an email phishing scam prompting recipients to download information about preventing the spread of coronavirus.
U.S. Secret Service
Another con was delivered via to an email that contains “-gov” at the end of the address. That's easily confused with the “.gov” from a bona fide government agency. The email says “Preventive measures against corona virus” in the subject line. The body of the message touts “safety measures” to prevent the virus's spread and urges recipients to download a document. But if you follow instructions and download it, you'll see a Microsoft logo and be directed to “Enter password."
"This is derived and driven from people's fear — people are fearful of coronavirus. People are looking for information to protect themselves,” says McMahon, who probes large-scale transnational crime groups.
