MADISON, WI (WTAQ) — Wisconsinites have lost nearly $800,000 dollars since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic to a range of coronavirus-related scams.
That’s according to data from the Federal Trade Commission. AARP Wisconsin Senior Program Specialist Courtney Anclam says the scams are taking a number of forms, from phone calls, to emails, to facebook messages and texts.
“They’re offering cures and home testing kits,” Anclam told WTAQ. “Trying to get people to send them money or personal identifying information.”
In recent weeks, fake COVID-19 contact tracers have been calling Wisconsin residents telling them they’ve been exposed to COVID-19.
“They’ll say they’re from the Department of Health Services, they’ll want your personal information, or money, or for you to click a link that will install malware,” Anclam explained.
One of the best defenses against pandemic scammers is a touch of common sense.
“When something like a vaccine or cure is developed and becomes available, you won’t hear about it from some random email or social media message,” said Anclam. “You should really be looking at trusted sources of information.”
Over 1,400 reports have been made to the Federal Trade Commission regarding COVID-19 related scams in Wisconsin, adding up to $796,000.
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