Warning: Coronavirus Scams Surging

Today, there are serious concerns about the threats posed by the current Coronavirus situation.

And online, quite apart from the physical dangers to our health, and widespread disruption caused by business closures, travel bans and enforced and self-imposed isolations, cyber-scams related to the virus news is increasing.

In common with most other crisis situations, criminals are using emails, text messages, social media posts, online advertisements and phone calls to defraud their unsuspecting victims. Cybercriminals constantly latch on to news items that captivate the public’s attention, but usually they do so by sensationalising the topic or spreading misinformation about it.

Recently, however, cyber-crooks have started disseminating real-time, accurate information about global infection rates tied to the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic in a bid to infect computers with malicious software.

The Scams Include:

• Fake advertisements for protective masks
• Fake advertisements for sanitising gel
• Fake advertisements for vaccines (these do not currently exist)
• Links to fake / sensational news, photos and video and unorthodox ways to gain protection, in reality designed purely to spread panic, gain clicks and sell newspapers.

Appeals from fake charities (either with made-up names, or fraudsters impersonating real charities) for donations
In the case of the fake advertisements, hopeful customers make payments for the items, often by bank transfer, never to see the products they have ordered, nor their money, ever again.

The links and email attachments generally lead to fraudulent websites which request your confidential details, or malware infections on the computer, or other devices you use to view them.

Advice

Do not get tempted into ordering Coronavirus-related products online, especially if it calls for payment by any means except credit card (which normally affords additional protection). Do not believe in everything you read, but instead get your up-to-date Coronavirus advice from official UK sources including:

• HM Government: www.gov.uk
• NHS: www.nhs.uk

Check the authenticity of charity appeals

Be very wary of approaches from supposed travel agents, tour operators, airlines, cruise companies, insurance companies or compensation firms promising to deal with refunds on travel, accommodation and event entry.

If in doubt, call companies you have been dealing with, on the phone number you know to be correct.

www.getsafeonline.org       krebsonsecurity.com       www.gizmodo.co.uk