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Informed Citizens

are Better Citizens

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Scams

Unfortunately, during times of crisis there will always be those that try to take advantage of the most vulnerable in our communities. Scams range from selling “COVID-19 cures” to phishing emails that attempt to obtain your personal or financial information.

New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal will be hosting a COVID-19 Town Hall meeting titled Fraud – Prevention, Education and Enforcement Efforts on Tuesday, May 19, 2020 at noon. To register for this free virtual town hall meeting, click here

The New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell warns of bad actors who are attempting to capitalize on the COVID-19 crisis, targeting those who are working from home. Take a look at their COVID-19 Cybersecurity Resources page.

Read this Time magazine article for more information on the types of scams out there and this article from Norton Security (the security software company) that gives examples of phishing emails.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) also provides information and tips to avoid scammers and outlines what it is doing to fight scammers in this FTC release. Click here to read updates from the FTC and details of more scams.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is prosecuting a number of cases of fraud connected with the Coronavirus.  See the DOJ’s press release. The DOJ also has a webpage with Frequently Asked Questions and hotlines to report fraud and price gouging in connection with the Coronavirus.

The Consumer Finance Protection Bureau also outlines several scams to be aware of related to the Coronavirus on its webpage.

To report a scammer or suspected price gouging, alert the N.J. Division of Consumer Affairs at (973) 504-6240 or via their website.