Coronavirus Scams: What the FTC is doing

Scammers are taking advantage of fears surrounding the Coronavirus.

Avoid Coronavirus Scams

• Don’t respond to texts, emails or calls about checks from the government. The details are still coming together.
• Ignore online offers for vaccinations and home test kits. There are no products proven to treat or prevent COVID-19 at this time.
• Hang up on robocalls. Scammers are using illegal robocalls to pitch everything from low-priced health insurance to work-at-home schemes.
• Watch for emails claiming to be from the CDC or WHO. Use sites like coronavirus.gov and usa.gov/coronavirus to get the latest information. And don’t click on links from sources you don’t know.
• Do your homework when it comes to donations. Never donate in cash, by gift card, or by wiring money.

What the FTC is Doing

The FTC and FDA have jointly issued warning letters to seven sellers of unapproved and misbranded products, claiming they can treat or prevent the Coronavirus. The companies’ products include teas, essential oils, and colloidal silver.

The FTC says the companies have no evidence to back up their claims — as required by law. The FDA says there are no approved vaccines, drugs or investigational products currently available to treat or prevent the virus. Read more about the warning letters.

Law Enforcement Actions

• FTC Warns Nine VoIP Service Providers and Other Companies against ‘Assisting and Facilitating’ Illegal Coronavirus-related Telemarketing Calls
• FTC, FDA Send Warning Letters to Seven Companies about Unsupported Claims that Products Can Treat or Prevent Coronavirus

Blog Posts

• Scammers are using COVID-19 messages to scam people
• Remote learning and children’s privacy
• Coronavirus checks: flattening the scam curve
• Avoiding SSA scams during COVID-19
• Avoid scams while finding help during quarantine
• The FTC keeps attacking robocalls
• Grandparent scams in the age of Coronavirus
• Small businesses: Where to go for financial relief information
• While you’re at home, spot the scams
• Want to get your Coronavirus relief check? Scammers do too.
• 60 and over in the time of COVID-19? Read on
• Socially distancing from COVID-19 robocall scams
• Thinking critically about Coronavirus news and information
• Seven Coronavirus scams targeting your business
• Now more than ever, spot the scams with #FTCScamBingo
• FTC: Coronavirus scams, Part 2
• Online security tips for working from home
• Checks from the government
• FTC & FDA: Warnings sent to sellers of scam Coronavirus treatments
• Coronavirus: Scammers follow the headlines
• FTC, FDA warn companies making Coronavirus claims

Scammy Calls About the Coronavirus

• Fake tests for Medicare recipients
• Free test kit scam
• Sanitation supplies
• Health insurance pitches
• Mortgage scam
• Social Security Administration scam
• Small business listing scam

Recordings courtesy of Nomorobo.

Related Articles

• Robocalls
• How to Block Unwanted Calls
• How to Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams
• Miracle Health Claims
• How to Donate Wisely and Avoid Charity Scams

Other FTC Activities

Learn more about the agency’s response to the Coronavirus, including how the agency is addressing competition matters.

Social Media Shareables

Link to ftc.gov/coronavirus for the FTC’s most up-to-date information about Coronavirus scams.

Resources

• Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• What the U.S. Government is Doing
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC) 

Resources in other languages

Report Scams

Report a Complaint
If you come across any suspicious claims, report them to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.