Richland County Sheriff's Office

Report COVID-19 Fraud

By

FBI – Federal Bureau of Investigation

March 31, 2020

Looking for some more information about COVID-19 fraud? The United States Department of Justice set up a new website to consolidate information: https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus

Be aware that criminals are attempting to exploit COVID-19 worldwide through a variety of scams. There have been reports of:

  • Individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19 online and engaging in other forms of fraud.
  • Phishing emails from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  • Malicious websites and apps that appear to share virus-related information to gain and lock access to your devices until payment is received – Seeking donations fraudulently for illegitimate or non-existent charitable organizations.

Criminals will likely continue to use new methods to exploit COVID-19 worldwide.

If you think you are a victim of a scam or attempted fraud involving COVID-19, you can report it without leaving your home through a number of platforms.