Above / The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is alerting communities regarding criminals and cruel individuals who have devised Coronavirus scams. Individuals are urged to report incidents to Better Business Bureau’s Scam Tracker.
In the mix of so many individuals stepping up to do good things, news of mischief, pranks, hacks and scams is just not acceptable in our view. Be safe. Be calm. Be prudent. —PN
March 26, 2020 / Scammer Alert to Veterans! Do Not Engage “David Miller”
Jennifer Slown, Senior Vice, American Legion Post 43 alerts, “If you receive a call or message from a man named ‘David Miller’ saying he is a veteran and requesting assistance, do NOT engage him.
“He has already tried to get money from Post 43 and the Naperville VFW, but his story just simply doesn’t add up.”
Commanders of the American Legion and VFW have determined this person is most likely a scammer. After contacting both commanders, “David Miller” moved on to contacting other post officers and the American Legion’s Facebook page.
“We don’t know how he obtained copies of the identification cards,” Slown adds. “Stay healthy and stay safe!”
March 26, 2020 / Be advised of phony emails impersonating club leadership
Leadership of the Naperville Woman’s Club is reaching out with a warning regarding someone’s trying to connect with its members concerning use of an unofficial email from the club’s State President.
At this time The Naperville Woman’s Club does not have any projects or events set. They are not collecting gift cards for any organization (for example Veterans Homes or Convention).
Please be vigilant in checking the sender’s email before answering any suspicious requests. In fact, it’s good advice not to open unfamiliar emails.
March 19, 2020 / Editor’s note with local report. Folks, this is a hoax!
“Becky XXXXX posts on Facebook: Caution to my Naperville friends. Yesterday our neighbor came by to give us a heads up about an incident that happened in broad daylight two streets down from us. Several people were dressed in hazmat/medical type suits going door to door of residents and stating that they are doing coronavirus testing. Once the door was open, they entered the home and robbed the family. Please be cautious about anyone you do not know right now ringing your doorbell or contact the police if you are unsure. With a lot of kids home right now, you may want to also have that talk with your kids to ensure they do not answer the door as well.” — Mike XXXXX (Again, this FB post about a scam in Naperville was a hoax, according to the NPD. A news report, however, conveyed similar scenarios, just not in Naperville.)
Report scams via the Naperville Police Department non-emergency number at (630) 420-6666.
March 19, 2020 / Beware of online ‘phishing’ & telemarketing
Note also that some unwanted emails, telemarketing and/or phone calls are not necessarily from scammers, but rather data collectors, purely annoyances. They aim to collect personal information such time of day you answered, interest in product category, etc. For emails especially, simply read the subject and delete, delete, delete. Don’t open what look like offers from senders you don’t recognize. When you don’t recognize the phone number or the email, ignore, ignore, ignore. Don’t answer.
Also beware of online scams for charities, insurance discounts, investments, goods and services, etc. Offers for mobile APPS also can be scams.
Simply remember the old adage with sage advice: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably Is. Be careful when looking for the next opportunity in your life. Thanks. —PN
Original Post, March 19, 2020 / The Better Business Bureau is receiving reports on new scams and misinformation at an alarming rate, as well as instances of price gouging, emailed Naperville resident Steve Bernas, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois.
While government and health care officials continue to deal with the ever-evolving COVID 19 pandemic; consumers and businesses are facing a wave of scams and fraudulent activity. A range of new scams is being reported, including phony messages about money from the government, fake COVID 19 discounts, miracle cures and cybercrime. Be alert.
Recognize phony offers
Reports coming into the BBB also include phony offers to consumers for COVID 19 discounts on various services including video streaming and phone services. With recent government announcements of tax filing deadlines extended, and relief checks possibly coming, scammers are seizing on the opportunities being presented by the pandemic to send imposter emails representing the Government.
In some cases, they are using fear of the unknown; in other instances, the necessity for millions of individuals who are now working from home is an open door for cyber-criminals, hackers and other crooks.
Government plans still in the works / Beware of false info / Don’t ‘click’
“While there are currently no firm plans, there are reports that the government will be issuing $1,000 checks to assist individuals through the hard times caused by the pandemic; there is sure to be a great deal of misinformation that will be disseminated,” added Bernas. “Already there are fraudulent text messages being sent claiming that their targets are ‘pre-accepted to receive the cash just click on the link’.”
Links in text messages such as these are designed to install malicious software on your device or steal personal and financial information.
Whenever the details of receiving the assistance money are released, consumers can be certain they will not be required to:
- Pay anything upfront to get this money. No fees. No charges. No nothing.
- Provide your Social Security number, bank account, or credit card number. Anyone who asks is a scammer. (Never, never, never give this info over the phone or online.)
- Anyone who tells you they can get you the money now is a scammer.
- The check scam is just one example, but there are many others. Whether they are text messages, emails or phone calls; their only purpose is to rip-off consumers.
Better Business Bureau’s Scam Tracker
- Better Business Bureau’s Scam Tracker database offers an opportunity for consumers to assist in slowing the growth of new scams and other fraudulent schemes. Individuals can input information about scam calls, emails and text messages they receive.
- By providing the information you can help the BBB investigate and warn others by reporting what you know. The BBB Scam Tracker website also enables consumers to view scam details reported by others.
Bernas adds, “Scam Tracker is also a source of information for law enforcement agencies and media outlets.”
BBB tips to stay safe from internet scams
- Don’t click on links from sources you don’t know. It could download a virus onto your computer or device. Make sure the anti-malware and anti-virus software on your computer is up to date.
- Watch for emails claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or experts saying that have information about the virus. For the most up-to-date information about the Coronavirus, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). (Consider checking www.worldometers.org for its concise reports, current data, graphs, links, etc.)
- Ignore online offers for vaccinations. If you see ads touting prevention, treatment, or cure claims for the Coronavirus, ask yourself: if there’s been a medical breakthrough, would you be hearing about it for the first time through an ad or sales pitch?
- Do your homework when it comes to donations, whether through charities or crowdfunding sites. Don’t let anyone rush you into making a donation. If someone wants donations in cash, by gift card, or by wiring money, don’t do it.
- Be alert to “investment opportunities.” The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is warning people about online promotions, including on social media, claiming that the products or services of publicly-traded companies can prevent, detect, or cure coronavirus and that the stock of these companies will dramatically increase in value as a result.
Advice to folks working from home
- If something sounds suspicious, confirm it by calling the sender or the business using a previously known phone number.
- Don’t click on links in an unexpected email – type the URL for the company into your browser or do a web search to find the right website.
- Don’t click, download, or open anything that comes from an anonymous sender. This is likely an attempt to gain access to your personal information or install malware on your computer.
- Be cautious of generic emails. Scammers try to cast a wide net by including little or no specific information in their fake emails.
- Move your cursor over the “From” line in the address of an email to see of the shown address complements the pop-up address.
Report Price Gouging
BBB urges businesses to avoid the temptation to raise prices during a situation such as a pandemic; plus, it is illegal to do so when a State has declared the State of Emergency, and because it erodes marketplace trust.
Consumers will remember which businesses took advantage of them during a crisis.
Anyone who suspects price gouging during a declared state of emergency should report it to Better Business Bureau by filing a complaint,, or to BBB Ad Truth and to the state attorney general’s office.
Submitted by Steve J. Bernas, President & CEO, Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois.
