Article is from Scambusters .org
Not all coronavirus scams arrive by email, text, or
phone. There’s also a chance they might turn up in your regular mailbox. Which
is why the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) has stepped into the
battle against the crooks.
The agency has launched a website section devoted to virus-related tricks
online and offline that you can find at https://www.uspis.gov/coronavirus/.
The site has a couple of useful public service videos explaining actions the
agency is taking and providing more tips on how to protect yourself from
falling victim.
USPIS is also highlighting the surge we’re now seeing in personal protective
equipment (PPE) fraud, warning: “Scammers are creating fake shops,
websites, social media accounts, and email addresses claiming to sell medical
supplies currently in high demand, such as surgical masks and disinfectant
wipes.
“When consumers attempt to purchase supplies through these channels, the
fraudsters pocket the money and never provide the promised supplies.
“Only purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) or other medical
supplies from reputable websites and vendors. Research the vendor and website
for complaints before purchasing.”
Meanwhile, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has stepped up its battle
against misleading and false claims about products and treatments for dealing
with Coronavirus.
It has sent out letters to more than 20 firms it accuses of making
unsubstantiated claims about preventing or treating the illness. It’s the third
batch of warnings issued to firms in the past few weeks.
You can see the list of the alleged culprits at: https://tinyurl.com/FTC-Covid-letters
Remember, at this time, there’s no cure or vaccine for Coronavirus. Promising
treatments are being tested but that’s all. To get reliable news on progress,
visit the US Centers for Disease Control at cdc.gov
