SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- More warnings tonight that scams are spreading as fast as coronavirus. One of them caught an ABC7 colleague off guard.
It began with a hack of a friend's Twitter account. It made a scam look like a real way to help health care workers.
Our colleague received what appeared to be a direct message on Twitter from a trusted friend.
It says "masks protect you and your loves" and refers to this website: "masks-2020.us."
It claims to offer masks, thermometers, even toilet paper.
Our colleague went to that site and ordered four sets of face masks for $94 dollars.
Later, the friend texted a warning: her Twitter account was hacked. and any direct messages would be from a scammer.
Our colleague went online and found this site was created just two days earlier, a telltale sign it's fake.
The Federal Communications Commission has been warning consumers about a surge in these scams, like robocalls claiming to offer free test kits.
There are no free kits.
Bottom line, you have to be extra-careful about messages related to coronavirus. Even if they seem to come from folks you trust -- hackers are everywhere.
Go here for the latest news, information and videos about the novel coronavirus.
Take a look at more stories and videos by Michael Finney and 7 On Your Side.