Idealists might think that since we all have the same enemy, the COVID-19 pandemic, we should stick together and show a common civic sense of caring and supporting one another. You’d be wrong. For too many people, this global crisis proves to be the heavenly gift they’ve waited all their life. Many coronavirus scams can trick anyone of us, as reported on Psychology Today.
There will always be scammers during periods of crisis
So, put your idealism aside and learn that there is no such thing as global civic sense. There is only one kind of civic spirit, and that’s individual. Those living from the stealth they’ll do so even in a time of a pandemic. It is a psychological condition that doesn’t change just because the entire world is menaced. Hey, they’ve lived like that all their life.
If something, this pandemic helps scammers on the strength of the panic it spreads. Peopler’s fear is any con’s ideal partner. Once you are panicked, he can trick you al lot easier than when you are in your normal rational state of mind. When we are scared, emotions can overcome reason, and once something gives us a feeling of trust, reason can’t do too much. This is how scammers fool you by using your weakness.
So, if you analyze yourself and ascertain that you are alarmed, then know that you can be easily scammed. You aren’t the only one. $7 million were reported by the Federal Trade Commission to have been lost to scams in just the first nine days of April. Read this through, and don’t let idealism and panic be the door to your finances.
Coronavirus scams that you must be aware of
The Stimulus Scam
The stimulus scam gets to you through a liberating email from the government pretending to be your stimulus check or student-loan forgiveness. You are simply required to register and give your Social Security Number, and date of birth. The government doesn’t do that EVER.
The App Scam
This one is the scam that the cons use by pretending to be the Apple or Google application. If you didn’t download the app form your AppStore or Google Play Store, then it isn’t authentic, it’s just a scam. One that might get to you, again by pretending it is the government, or the CDC, or WHO that considers you worthy of getting the application for free. And still, your personal data are required. Don’t apply, don’t answer, don’t even open the email. Just delete it.
The Product Scam
This one is an old scam adapted to the new conditions. The scammers pretend they have something you need badly, such as sanitizer or masks, tea, essential oil, tincture, or colloidal silver that can protect you from the new coronavirus, or even a vaccine that will immunize you. These products are useless against the virus.
Unless you know the company and you previously used that site, don’t open it. Any letter changed in the company’s name; it’s a sign of a scam. Verify the company by googling the name of the company and one of the words “reviews,” scam,” or “fraud” and see what comes out.
The Charity Con
This one was invented because you also have a sense of altruism, and you feel the need to help others. Well, be aware that you might help scammers make a nice living. Yous can check the respective charity on review sites like Charity Navigator, Charity Watch, Give, GuideStar. If the charity isn’t registered, then you should do some research and make sure it’s not one of the coronavirus scams.
