Scammers trying to loosen you from your money during these unsettling times are showing up on the internet and other places and a state official has some tips for you to stay financially safe.
Division of Trade and Consumer Protection administrator Lara Sutherlin says scammers are taking advantage of fears surrounding the Coronavirus by setting up websites to sell bogus products, and using fake emails, texts, and social media posts as a ruse to take your money and get access to your personal information..
"Promoting awareness and prevention tips that may actually include dangerous links. Emails asking us to donate to victims, making false claims about health, promoting sensationalized news or even offering advice for unproven treatments, they may contain malicious attachments in those emails..."
She says ignore offers for vaccinations or home test kits, robocalls or calls that a loved one is ill. She says offers for hard-to-get items like toilet paper are scams, as are fake charity scams. Sutherlin says one particularly troubling deception includes the expected federal stimulus checks...
"Scammers are out there already saying they can get your check for you quicker and they can get you more money. Be careful. Those promises to get your money faster and quicker are scams and they should be ignored..."
Sutherlin says a key is finding good information. She says go to the state website at Wisconsin.gov/ COVID and then also look for the Division of Trade and Consumer Protection website.
