Thread by @THECITYNY

1/ Scammers gonna scam…

New York is in its first phase of reopening, but coronavirus scammers and con artists are still taking advantage of the most vulnerable New Yorkers.

Here’s a list of the most common COVID-19 scams and some tips on protecting yourself:

2/ ⚠️Stimulus check scams: Some scammers are posing as IRS workers & asking for bank info to rob people of their checks.

✅ Mary McCune from @LSNYCnews offers this advice: Don’t trust anyone on the phone who says they’re from the IRS.

More info here: buff.ly/3dNvHHr

3/ ⚠️Accessing benefits: Some scammers are posing as other government reps offering to help you access benefits such as SNAP or Medicaid—while collecting personal info.

✅ Be wary of unauthorized calls from people claiming to be from the government.

With one caveat...

4/ @NYSLabor representatives are calling from private numbers to help people complete their unemployment claims. Reps should verify their identity by telling you the date you filed your application and the type of claim you filed.

buff.ly/2Ycz8Cq

5/ Advice:

✅ You should not have to pay a fee to access a government benefit.
✅ Don’t let the caller rush you into a decision.

“If someone says, ‘If you don’t act now, you lose the opportunity forever,’ that is not true, and that is probably a scam,” McCune said.

6/ If you receive a questionable call and still aren’t sure you can call the agency directly to verify, or you can call the New York State Division of Consumer Protection helpline at 800-697-1220.

7/ ⚠️Email phishing scams: Some emails will offer “coronavirus updates” and include a call to action—enticing people to visit a fake website that scammers use to steal data, passwords, credit card details, & other personal info.

This can also happen in a social media message.

8/ Advice:

✅ Don’t click on any links from a COVID-19-related email you’re not expecting
✅ Call the gov’t agency to find out if they're emailing people
✅ Hover over a link w/o clicking it & check where the URL is actually taking you (but this method isn't foolproof)

9/ ⚠️Harmful email attachments: Some bad cyber actors are luring people into downloading attachments with “malicious software” designed to harm your computer.

Trust your instincts; if an attachment seems suspicious, don’t open it—even if your antivirus software says it’s OK.

10/ Advice:

✅ Don't click "enable content."

“If it’s telling you to enable content — to click the yellow button at the top to run the macro — that is the scam,” said Tyler Moffitt of @Webroot

Find more security tips from @CISAgov here: buff.ly/2YhAbQ5

11/ ⚠️Price gouging: Some business owners are taking advantage of the fact that the public needs certain essential goods—like food and masks—and are jacking up the prices.

But, price gouging is illegal for any item or service related to stopping the spread of the coronavirus.

12/Advice:

✅ You can report price gouging to @NewYorkStateAG by filling out this form: buff.ly/37eXQ7O

Or by calling 212-416-8000

13/ ⚠️There is no vaccine or cure yet for the coronavirus according to the @US_FDA. Don't fall prey to bogus treatments or cures.

✅ You can only get a test at a medical testing site found here: buff.ly/3h92BEJ
✅ Home test kits are not real and do not work.

14/⚠️What do I do if I’ve been scammed?

If you gave out your personal info to someone online or over the phone, you can minimize the damage.

✅You can get free one-on-one financial counseling at the NYC Financial Empowerment Center: buff.ly/3dTS3HA

15/ ⚠️ If you logged into a fake website or gave information online, the first thing you should do is change your username and password for your real accounts.

Scammers are smart: They know that many people use the same login information for multiple accounts.

16/ ⚠️ If you gave out banking information to someone, you should notify your bank and the IRS immediately.

✅ You can fill out this form: buff.ly/2Yglvkk and the IRS will take a second look at anyone trying to file anything in your name

17/ ✅ You should report possible incidents of identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission via this form: buff.ly/3dRsy9M

or call the Identity Theft Hotline at 877-438-4338.

18/ ⚠️ If you gave out any credit card information, you should contact your credit card company and the fraud departments at the three major credit reporting agencies:

• Equifax: 800-525-6285
• Experian: 888-397-3742
• TransUnion: 800-680-7289

19/ You can read our full guide to not getting scammed here: buff.ly/30nbk01

If you have had an experience with a coronavirus-related scam and want to share with us, email us at [e-mail]

20/ ...and while you’re here, sign up for our daily newsletter. eepurl.com/gdQ5on