In times of trouble, scammers often try to exploit the situation with everything from cheap and shoddy merchandise to fake charitable causes.
If a deal seems too good to be true … sometimes you have to doublecheck that it’s not some attempt at fraud.
The Broward Sheriff’s Office has released tips on how to spot a potential scam:
- Scams can include social media posts, texts and websites meant to take your personal information and money and infect computers.
- Think twice before investing in companies who say they are working on a cure. Check official sources, such as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, before being lured into a scam.
- Be aware of fake fundraising. Verify the charity is legitimate. If someone wants donations in cash, gift card or by wiring money, don’t do it.
- Watch out for online marketing of vaccinations or products claiming to treat the virus.
- Do not click on unfamiliar links or emails. Phishing emails may mention the virus, medical supplies or claim to be from government, national or local health organizations in order to get users to open the message that unleashes malware.
- Watch for emails claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or experts saying they have information about the virus.
- Be aware of entering personal information into websites
If you learn of a scam, please let us know so we can alert our readers! Write to editor@miamionthecheap.com. Be careful and stay safe!
