U.S. Attorney warns to beware of COVID-19 fraud
Fake cures and phishing scams running rampant
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The Maui News
Officials are urging the public to report suspected fraud schemes related to COVID-19.
The schemes include individuals and businesses selling fake cures online, phishing emails from scammers posing as the World Health Organization or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and malicious websites and apps that appear to share coronavirus-related information and then gain and lock access to people's devices until payment is received, according to a news release Friday from the Hawaii District of the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The news release also warned of illegitimate or nonexistent charitable organizations and medical providers obtaining patient information for COVID-19 testing, then using the information to fraudulently bill for tests and procedures.
Police warned of people going door to door and fraudulently saying they are authorized to do home testing for coronavirus.
"While our communities respond to the spread of COVID-19, some folks may try to profit by capitalizing on perceived vulnerabilities created by a national emergency," said U.S. Attorney Kenji Price of the Hawaii District. "The community should know that my office is committed to holding anyone who commits crimes related to COVID-19 accountable for their conduct."
Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregg Yates has been appointed to be coronavirus fraud coordinator for the Hawaii District.
People can report suspected fraud by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud hotline at (866) 720-5721 or emailing disaster@leo.gov.