Key scam indicators to look out for to avoid becoming a victim
In fact, youโll likely see scammers trying to take advantage of disaster situations. During National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission is offering some guidance on what you should be looking out for to avoid becoming a victim. Whatever they may be, the FTC says scammers only want you to pay up or share your personal information. Remember, no legitimate company or organization will ever ask you to pay with a gift card, money transfer or pre-paid debit card. And no government agency will ever call, email or text to ask you for money, your Social Security number or your banking information.
View that offer to buy early access to COVID-19 vaccine with big dose of skepticism
SAN ANTONIO โ As millions anxiously await their turns for the COVID-19 vaccine, and with many frustrated by more demand than early supply, scammers are already taking advantage, federal agencies and consumer advocates warn. The BBB, along with several federal agencies are warning about emails, text messages, phone calls and social media posts offering early access to the vaccine in exchange for some sort of payment. The state of Texas has a vaccine rollout plan based on who needs the vaccineโs protection most coming first. If you receive an unsolicited offer regarding vaccine, the BBB suggests you do your research by starting with your doctor and relying on known, reliable sources. Related Stories:Texas health official explains issues that may distort how many vaccine doses are actually available31 San Antonio clinics, hospitals to get hundreds of COVID-19 vaccines this weekUniversity Health begins administering COVID-19 vaccines to seniors in next phase of rollout
Impostor calls, Secret Sister Gift Exchange could scrooge your holiday
SAN ANTONIO โ As holiday shoppers log on to Amazon in record numbers, scammers are stealing the moment - and maybe more. In the Amazon version, the caller says there is some sort of problem with a purchase. In the Apple version, the caller says the personโs iCloud account has been breached and they shouldnโt use any Apple device until the suspicious activity is addressed. The Secret Sister or Secret Santa Gift Exchange is another scheme making the holiday rounds on social media, one thatโs illegal, the Better Business Bureau warns. โItโs a very fun pay-it-forward kind of scenario ... but the gift exchange quickly becomes something where it becomes illegal.
Social media is a breeding ground for scams during COVID-19 crisis, FTC says
SAN ANTONIO โ Social media is for more than sharing pet pics and political fights. As people have been scrolling through the pandemic, scammers have been ripping them off for millions of dollars, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Reports of losses due to social media scams have more than tripled in the last year. If you see an ad on your social media feed, donโt depend on the comments for validation. To protect yourself from scammers lurking on social media, experts advise the following:
Scammers use fake websites, phony remedies to prey on fears during pandemic
Unfortunately, scammers are very creative and they come up with all sorts of ways to prey on people in the midst of a pandemic, said Christina Tetreault, Consumer Reports financial policy advocate. San Antonio bar owner in financial bind amid COVID-19 pandemicAmong the tricks to separate people from their money - phony remedies. Scammers also also known to impersonate contact tracers. Instead of asking about your whereabouts, they are asking for financial account information, which contact tracers do not need. People need to be vigilant about sharing information if they did not initiate the contact, Tetreault said.
FDA warns about dangerous chlorine dioxide and other products that claim to prevent, treat COVID-19
SAN ANTONIO โ The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Federal Trade Commission issued a warning letter Wednesday to a company selling products with the claim that they can prevent or treat COVID-19. โDespite previous warnings, the FDA is concerned that we are still seeing chlorine dioxide products being sold with misleading claims that they are safe and effective for the treatment of diseases, now including COVID-19. The sale of these products can jeopardize a personโs health and delay proper medical treatment,โ said FDA Commissioner Stephen M. Hahn, M.D. COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the new virus, stands for coronavirus disease 2019. The disease first appeared in late 2019 in Wuhan, China, but spread around the world in early 2020, causing the World Health Organization to declare a pandemic in March.