Unfortunately, scammers are hard at work attempting to scam you during the COVID-19 pandemic. They are using all forms of contact - telephone, postal mail, email, text messaging and in person - to take advantage of the unsuspecting for financial gain and access to personal or insurance information.
FTC Fraud Data is updated daily and viewable by location, type of fraud, contact method, payment method and age of victims.
Contact tracing is a vital tool used in slowing the spread of COVID-19 to protect you, your family and your community. When an individual tests positive for COVID-19, contact tracing is the process of identifying everyone the individual has come in contact with to advise those individuals of their possible exposure.
For more information on contact tracing, including a list of official phone numbers used for contact tracing in Florida, please visit the Florida Department of Health COVID-19 Response site or refer to their COVID-19 Contact Tracing Fact Sheet.
Review the consumer tips below to ensure you will be able to spot a contact tracing scam.
Contact tracing does not require any form of payment. If someone is demanding payment through a money transfer, gift card or cryptocurrency, they are not a part of the Florida Department of Health or any other official organization.
Do not share or confirm your personal or financial information, including bank account and credit card numbers, with anyone who contacts you. Contact tracing is a core public health function available at no charge.
You will not need to share your Social Security number in the contact tracing process. Immediately cease any communication with anyone claiming to be a contact tracer that is demanding your Social Security number.
Legitimate contact tracers will not inquire about your immigration status or request any documentation associated with it.
Scammers are including links in fraudulent text messages and emails. Clicking on these links may download malware onto your device or put you at risk for a scammer to gain your personal, financial or insurance information.
There are thousands of trials underway as companies race to find effective vaccines and treatments for COVID-19. Many of these research studies are legitimate, but some are not.
If you are considering volunteering for a COVID-19 trial, it’s important to know how to determine legitimate clinical trials, versus fraudulent clinical trials attempting to steal your money and personal information. Refer to the Federal Trade Commission’s guidance on COVID-19 clinical trials to ensure you know the difference:
Florida Department of Health 24/7 COVID-19 Call Center: 1-866-779-6121
County Health Departments - Location Finder Resource
Florida Department of Health 24/7 COVID-19 Call Center: 1-866-779-6121
Check-A-Charity Resource
www.FDACS.gov/ConsumerServices
1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352)
To Verify an Insurance Company License:
Office of Insurance Regulation
Active Company Search
www.FLOIR.com/CompanySearch
To Verify an Insurance Agent License:
Florida Department of Financial Services
Division of Insurance Agent and Agency Services
www.MyFloridaCFO.com/Division/Agents
850.413.3137
Florida Department of Health 24/7 COVID-19 Call Center: 1-866-779-6121