COVID-19 Relief Scams: 3 Cases to be Wary of

This article is from Trend Micro.

We’ve reported on COVID-related scams before, including fake stimulus checks, bogus job opportunities, and phishing vaccination passport applications. Recently, a lot of new phishing text messages about COVID-19 relief plans have appeared. Have you received any of them?

How COVID Relief Scams Work

Posing as government agencies, scammers send you text messages (complete with a phishing link) and falsely claim that you can apply for COVID-19 relief or a stimulus payment.

They direct you to phishing sites with those links so they can collect your sensitive data and use it for their own good. The links may lead you to:

Fake login pages of the agencies’ websites
Fake online application forms

Scammers prompt you to submit sensitive data to claim your payment. In fact, they can record all the data you enter and use it to steal your money and identity!

3 Cases to be Wary of

1. American Rescue Plan

Content: congratulations, we are pleased to inform you that your information was randomly picked up for covid-19 stimulus payment from the american rescue plan under the treasury department. kindly follow the link to complete the form <URL> when you’ve submitted your details smith lopez for the employment department will contact you for more details on how you will receive your money asap. thanks

2. California EDD

Content: congrats, we are pleased to inform you that your information was pick up for covid-19 stimulus payment from the federal government by joe biden. you are eligible to the payment. kindly follow the link to complete <URL> the form when you’ve submitted your details micheal redford for the employment department will contact you for more details on how you will receive your money. thanks

3. Federal Assistance Program

Content: congrats, we are pleased to inform you that your information was pick up for covid-19 stimulus payment from the federal government by joe biden. you are eligible to the payment. kindly follow the link to complete <URL> the form when you’ve submitted your details micheal redford for the employment department will contact you for more details on how you will receive your money. Thanks

How to Protect Yourself

Double-check the sender’s mobile number.
Remember that government agencies will never contact you or request your personal information. Some plans (like the payment of American Rescue Plan) will be delivered to families in need automatically.
Go to the government’s official web page for the updated and legitimate information about COVID-19 relief plans.
NEVER click links or attachments from unknown sources. Use Trend Micro Check to detect scams with ease!

1. After you’ve pinned the Trend Micro Check browser extension, it will block dangerous sites for you automatically:

2. Send links or screenshots of suspicious text messages to Trend Micro Check on WhatsApp for immediate scam detection.

Download Trend Micro Maximum Security for even greater protection, including Web Threat Protection, Ransomware Protection, Anti-phishing, and Anti-spam Protection. Gain access to the Privacy Scanner for Facebook and Twitter, Social Networking Protection, and Parental Controls, too. Click the button below to give it a try:

Did you successfully spot the scams? Remember, always CHECK before giving out personal information. If you found this article helpful and/or interesting, please SHARE it to help protect your friends and family!