What the COVID-19 contact tracer does not say

State and federal agencies warn of the spread of new phone fraud. Some callers, masquerading as COVID-19 contact tracers, try to steal credit card or bank account information from unsuspecting victims.

Glitter apparently leverages significant real public health interventions to stop the spread of the new coronavirus. Contact trace..

In one such plan, detailed in a warning from the Montana Attorney General, the scammer was told by the local health department that the victim had been contacted with “a person with COVID-19. I am in touch with you.” They then move on to the killings and ask for payment information “before proceeding”.

Public health advocates and officials say, don’t fall into it. Legitimate contact tracers do not ask for payment or other financial information.

“It’s definitely not part of the process,” said Crystal Watson, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Health and Safety Center. “Do not give bank or credit card information”

Real contact tracers usually work in the health sector. They contact COVID-19 positive patients to track their symptoms. They understand how to isolate themselves from others until they clear the virus, and how to determine friends, neighbors, co-workers or acquaintances to whom they may be near immediately before or after they show a positive reaction. Help the people they call Coronavirus.. These contacts will then be sought by the tracers participating in the battle against time and will also ask those people to be quarantined.

This proven public health tool (washing hands, wearing masks in public places, maintaining a physical distance of 6 feet from people outside the home) is one of the few strategies scientists can use to slow the spread of the virus. Is one of. Work on treatment and vaccines.

Legitimate contact tracking has been widely adopted in some areas, such as the District of Columbia and Hawaii, and is said to have helped countries such as New Zealand and Taiwan help contain the virus.

But this success also includes bad actors. The Federal Trade Commission, the Department of Justice, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Better Business Bureau, state law enforcement agencies, and national health authorities use the following to help consumers about malicious people who do not belong to the Department of Health: Is issued a warning. phoneGet personal information from people who have been scammed by email, text, or email.

What is the difference between a real call and a fake call? For one, a text message may be displayed before a legitimate tracking call to inform the patient that a call from the health department will be coming. Then, on that first call, a legitimate tracer will try to confirm the address and date of birth, especially if you are a COVID-positive patient, Watson said.

“They ask you about your identity to make sure you are the one they are trying to reach, so they don’t disclose potential personal information to the wrong person,” Watson said. Said.

Tracers can also assist people in or needing quarantine by connecting to resources such as food and drug deliveries.

“Some people can offer another place for safe isolation,” for example, if you live in a multi-generational home without separate bathrooms or bedrooms for isolation,” Watson said.

At the end of the call, the tracer will call or text you over the next few days asking if you can see the progress of your symptoms.

What do you need to pay attention to?

The FTC issued a warning in May, worrying about receiving the first text that might be spam and asks the phone to click a link that may download the software.

“Unlike a legitimate person Email From the Department of Health, which only wants to know that they are calling, this message contains a link to click.”

Another clear red warning: You will be prompted to enter your Social Security number. Contact tracers in most areas also do not ask for immigration or financial status.

Also note that the name of the COVID-19 patient is provided.

The Wisconsin Attorney General’s office said in a warning to consumers about fraud that “authorized contact tracers do not reveal the identities of those who test positive, nor are they the starting point for pursuit. No,” he said. Another tip: do some research before answering.

“Whenever someone asks you for information, you should worry about who is calling,” said George Benjamin, director of the American Public Health Association. You can call us at any time after confirmation by saying “If yes, please give us your name and phone number.”

Did the caller ID indicate that the call was from the health department? Some states include that information. For example, the Virginia phone is from the “VDH COVID Team”. Call health Department if you have questions.

Pennsylvania’s Aging Secretary Robert Torres said in a press release on August 12 that “cheaters prey on individuals who are more trustworthy, alone, or who may react from confusion and fear. I like it.” “It’s important to always be alert to people who reveal that they are contact tracers and not provide personal information until they are confirmed to be who they say they are. information It’s legitimate. “

Finally, if you think that a fraudster has contacted you by phone, email, or text, please report it to the Attorney General or other agency.

“If you see something, say something,” California Attorney General Xavier Besera said in a recent consumer alert issued by his office. “We are working to track down these scammers.”