Nassau County Executive Laura Curran and Police Commissioner Patrick J. Ryder are urging residents to be vigilant when receiving telephone solicitations or emails from persons which could be scams or rumors regarding COVID-19. County officials have been alerted that residents have received phone calls from scammers pretending to be with the Nassau County Department of Health. The callers asked for personal information including social security numbers. Residents should be advised that the Department of Health will never ask for this type of information. Please be wary when receiving phone calls, texts or any other type of solicitations.
“While we all remain home to protect our health, we must stay vigilant to also protect our finances and private information,” said Nassau County Executive Laura Curran. “Nassau County has zero-tolerance for scammers preying on anxious residents and vulnerable populations isolated at home during this time of crisis. Know the facts: no one legitimate will call and ask for your banking information or social security number.”
County officials strongly encourage residents to follow the tips outlined below to help protect themselves from falling victim to scams:
- Hang up on robocalls. Don’t press any numbers. Scammers are using illegal robocalls to pitch everything from scam Coronavirus treatments to work-at-home schemes. The recording might say that pressing a number will let you speak to a live operator or remove you from their call list, but it might lead to more robocalls, instead.
- Ignore online offers for vaccinations and home test kits. There currently are no vaccines, pills, potions, lotions, lozenges or other prescription or over-the-counter products available to treat or cure Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) — online or in stores. At this time, there also are no FDA-authorized home test kits for the Coronavirus. Visit the FDA website to learn more.
- Fact-check information. Scammers, and sometimes well-meaning people, share information that hasn’t been verified. Before you pass on any messages, contact trusted sources. Visit https://www.usa.gov/coronavirus for links to federal, state and local government agencies.
- Know who you’re buying from. Online sellers may claim to have in-demand products, like cleaning, household, and health and medical supplies when, in fact, they don’t.
- Don’t respond to texts and emails about checks from the government. The details are still being worked out. Anyone who tells you they can get you the money now is a scammer.
- Don’t click on links from sources you don’t know. They could download viruses onto your computer or device.
- Watch for emails claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or experts saying they have information about the virus. For the most up-to-date information about the Coronavirus, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Do your homework when it comes to donations, whether through charities or crowdfunding sites. Don’t let anyone rush you into making a donation. If someone wants donations in cash, by gift card, or by wiring money, don’t do it.
This information is being provided to residents to make them aware of ongoing scams. If you believe you may have been a victim of any of these scams, please call 911 immediately.
