U.S. Attorney: I’m ready to protect our citizens from scams and predators during COVID-19
The arrival of the COVID-19 global pandemic brings with it an uptick in fraudulent schemes. Considering our extensive experience with natural disasters, we Mississippians know that crisis reveals character, bringing out the best in most people while also bringing out the worst in some. Criminals are on the prowl during these extraordinary times, waiting to pounce on unsuspecting targets. But, citizens can thwart fraudsters by educating themselves and actively reaching out to and working with law enforcement, who remain on the job and doing all that we can do to protect the public.
As the chief federal law enforcement officer for over half of Mississippi, my office is discovering numerous scams: emails and websites selling non-existent “cures,” bogus “vaccines,” or fake tests for COVID-19; fraudulent solicitations for government agencies, sham nonprofits or made-up charities; apps claiming to have information relating to the virus that lock up your phone, computer, and data and hold them for ransom. The plethora of fraudulent schemes requires that we all be a little more cautious, more inquisitive, and more discerning during this public health crisis.
In March, I appointed a long-time federal prosecutor in our office to lead our fight against COVID-19 fraud. We are working closely with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to detect, investigative and prosecute fraud relating to COVID-19. If you have been defrauded, or even suspect fraud, please contact our office or the National Center for Disaster Fraud at 866-720-5721 or email them at disaster@leo.gov. Attorney General Bill Barr has directed the U.S. Department of Justice and every U.S. Attorney’s Office in the country to prioritize the coordination and pursuit of such fraud during these desperate times, and that is exactly what we are doing.
There have also been reports of individuals or businesses hoarding or price gouging scarce medical supplies desperately needed for our healthcare providers and first responders. In response, Attorney General Barr created the COVID-19 Hoarding and Price Gouging Task Force to address these issues. We are in daily discussions with the Task Force, strategizing and coordinating investigations and prosecutions of these nefarious activities.
It’s also imperative that we protect our children during this crisis. With shelter-in-place orders, extreme social distancing, and cancellation of our schools, our kids are at home trying to complete school work online, thereby putting them at an increased risk of being taken advantage of by online predators. Parents, we need to increase our awareness of our children’s online activities, know who they are talking to, what apps or social media platforms they are using, what websites they are visiting, and what information they are sharing. Probably the best advice is simply talking to your kids about the dangers of online predators lurking on the internet.
In addition, as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will soon be issuing stimulus payments to Americans. Be very wary of suspicious phone calls, emails or text messages concerning such payments. The IRS will never request via email, text message, or a phone call your personal or banking information. If you suspect such fraud, you can report it to phishing@irs.gov.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office, and our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, remain on the job, open for business, and ready, willing and able to do anything and everything we can to help and protect you.
Through all of this just remember – the good guys always outnumber the bad. We are literally seeing small acts of heroism every day. From the U.S. Attorney’s Office to these heroes, you have our eternal thanks and we’ve got your back.