Montanans
should be especially vigilant over the coming weeks and months, and
report suspicious activity and suspected scams or fraud immediately.
The
Senior Financial Exploitation Task Force was created in 2019 to
coordinate resources across multiple organizations, state, and federal
jurisdictions to protect seniors and other vulnerable Montanans from
fraud and exploitation.
“We
created the Task Force to bring all our resources together and ensure
financial exploitation and fraud are not tolerated in Montana,” said
State Auditor Matt Rosendale. “Right now, scammers are looking for ways
to use the COVID-19 pandemic to take advantage of the public. Be
vigilant, don’t make rushed decisions, and remember: If something sounds
too good to be true, it probably is. If you’re not sure about an
investment offer, or something seems suspicious, report it to us
immediately, and don’t give out your personal or financial information.”
Fraudulent schemes can take many forms during the COVID-19 pandemic, including:
• Individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19 online
• Phishing emails from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Seeking donations fraudulently for illegitimate or non-existent charitable organizations
• Fake investment opportunities, Ponzi schemes, and securities fraud
• Unsolicited, fraudulent offers of mortgage relief, advance fee scams, and fake banking services
• Any calls stating that the caller needs banking information in order to deposit stimulus checks
• Any unsolicited contact asking for personal or financial information online or over the phone
•
Any communication where you don’t recognize the sender, even if it
supposedly from a government agency, asking you to click on a link
Questions or concerns about potentially fraudulent activity?
Contact: Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) at 1-800-481-6896 or dojmt.gov/consumer
Full Article & Source:
Task Force warns COVID-19 scams on the rise
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