COVID-19 – Be on guard to protect yourself from fraud
Neighbors helping neighbors during times of need, such as COVID-19 and other disasters, is what the Great State of Tennessee is best known for worldwide. This is why we are the “VOLUNTEER STATE”! However, it is also a time when some try to take advantage of residents when they are vulnerable.
“Sadly, many of our neighbors on occasion fall victim to various fraud schemes (scams). Oftentimes bad components of our society try to capitalize on unsuspecting victims, especially the elderly. Their efforts seem to increase during times of emergencies like we are currently in,” said Tim Ellis, City Manager.
The types of fraud vary greatly and oftentimes are hard to discern as to what is a legitimate service and what is not. Currently, the most common COVID-19 fraud schemes that have been identified are:
- COVID Test Kit Phone Scam
- Student Loan Callback Scam
- Social Security Scam
- HVAC for Coronavirus Phone Scam
- Investment Scams
- Work from Home Scams
Everyone is encouraged to always practice the following safeguards in order to help protect yourself from such scams:
- Do not respond to calls or texts from unknown numbers or any others that appear suspicious,
- Never share your personal or financial information via email, text messages, or over the phone,
- Be cautious if you’re being pressured to share any information or make a payment immediately, and
- Do not click any links in a text message. 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.
Research and report any suspected scam through the Better Business Bureau’s Scam Tracker website: https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker
“The City of Goodlettsville Police Department stands ready to assist anyone that feels that they have been a victim of fraud,” said Gary Goodwin, Chief of Police.
Stay the course and stay calm, because we are Goodlettsville and we will overcome.
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