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AskCyber Home » News » scam » FTC Warns of COVID Vaccine Scam Text Messages

FTC Warns of COVID Vaccine Scam Text Messages

2021-03-01 by Michelle Dvorak

FTC scam text message

Avoid coronavirus robocall and text scams

Note: We are reader supported and may earn a small commission when you click on links in posts

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is warning consumers of scam text messages that are on the rise. The agency says that it has received reports that scammers are sending SMS text messages and using robocalls to exploit peoples’ fears about COIVD-19.

The scam text messages and  robocalls try to steal money and insurance information.

Like many scams, these frequently target the elderly.

SEE ALSO Romance Scams Most Expensive Type of Fraud

The vaccine related scam text messages and calls offer free home testing kits, promote sham cures, or sell and fake health insurance plans. The messages may play upon your health concerns or financial stress

Text message scams may be disguised as COVID-19 contact tracing calls.

Scammers may also try to convince you to pay for vaccinations. COVID-19 injections are free of charge in the United States.

The scam messages may contain legitimate health information to increase your trust in the messaging.

“Scammers often spoof phone numbers to trick you into answering or responding,” says the FTC

FTC on Twitter
  • Never reply to calls or texts from unknown numbers
  • Never share your personal or financial information via email, text messages, or over the phone.
  • Be suspicious of emails, calls, or text messages that attempt to scare you into sharing sensitive information like birthdate, identification numbers, or passwords
  • Scammers use apps to spoof (fake) phone numbers to trick you into answering or responding
  • Never click on any links in a text message from someone you don’t know.

Friends’ phones and accounts can get hacked and there is no guarantee that email or text from a friend is legitimate and safe. A quality antivirus app can help protect your laptop, computer, or phone from malware and phishing attacks. We recommend Heimdel Security or Malwarebytes antivirus.

When in doubt, call a friend, colleague, or company to see if they sent the message, link, or attachment.

If a friend sends you a text with a suspicious link that seems out of character, call them to make sure they weren’t hacked.

Government agencies, like the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), never call you to ask for personal information or demand payment over the phone. They send a letter using US Postal Service mail.

Filed Under: scam Tagged With: FTC

About Michelle Dvorak

Michelle writes about cyber security, data privacy focusing on social media privacy as well as how to protect your IoT devices. She has worked in internet technology for over 20 years and owns METRONY, LLC. Michelle earned a B.S. in Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Michelle published a guide to Cyber Security for Business Travelers


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