
Tips for avoiding COVID-19 scams
Unfortunately, scammers are taking advantage of fears surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Your security is our top priority and we want to help you protect yourself from this threat. We have put together a list of some of the top threats right now along with resources to provide you with the assistance needed.
- Stimulus Relief Payment Scams – with direct deposit payments starting this week, now is time to be vigilant
- The government wont be asking you for upfront money or personal/banking information to claim your relief funds. Beware of any limited time only offers or websites asking for private information or payments.
- Phishing attempts – Avoid phishing scams by keeping your anti-malware and anti-virus software up to date on your computer and never click on links from sources you don’t know.
- Charity Scams – Yes, there are illegitimate or non-existent organizations seeking donations and they have gotten very good at making themselves look legitimate.
- Always verify a charity’s authenticity before making any donations or consider experienced relief organizations that are better equipped than new charities to fulfill relief promises and deliver aid.
- Banking scams – Scammers impersonate bank or credit union employees and falsely claim that we are limiting access to deposits or that there are security issues with your deposits.
- Remember, MidUSA will not contact you for our social security number, account numbers or passwords by phone, email or text.
COVID-19 Scam Resources:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
- Ohio Department of Health
- Give.org Donor Trust Report
- CU*Secure – MidUSA’s security education site
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