SPECIAL ALERT – Beware Coronavirus (COVID-19) Cyber Scams
While honest people hunker down and do their best to protect themselves, their families, and their communities, cyber scammers are out in force trying to do the opposite. Now more than ever, people are relying on the internet to stay informed and for information relating to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Cyber scammers view this as an opportune time to take advantage of this crisis with schemes designed to steal your personal and business information, using the COVID-19 outbreak as bait topic for the scams.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recently advised that people take extra precautions when receiving emails with subject lines, attachments, or hyperlinks regarding COVID-19. These precautions must also be used when receiving pleas on social media, texts, or telephone calls, which are also a favorite method used by scammers to attempt to gain personal information.
The CISA shared some tips on how to better protect yourself and your business, which are:
- Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited emails and be wary of email attachments. For more information on this topic, visit: https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/tips/ST04-010 and https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/tips/ST04-014
- Use trusted sources such as legitimate and government websites for up-to-date and fact-based information about COVID-19.
- Do not reveal personal or financial information in email(s), and do not respond to email solicitations for information.
- Verify a charity’s authenticity before making donations. Review the Federal Trade Commission’s page on charity scams for more information. https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0074-giving-charity
- Review CISA insights on risk management for COVID-19 for more information at https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/20_0306_cisa_insights_risk_management_for_novel_coronavirus.pdf
To get the most up-to-date information about the COVID-19 outbreak, please visit the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
Call the business attorneys at Vogt, Resnick & Sherak, LLP if you have any questions or concerns relating to this Special Alert or if you have any questions relating to your business needs.