Coronavirus scams spreading fast, exploiting concerns for health and safety

ByRenee Koury KGO logo
Thursday, March 26, 2020
Coronavirus scams spreading fast
Coronavirus scams spreading fastWhether they're "free" test kits or discounted and available face masks, scams exploiting the coronavirus outbreak are everywhere.

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.

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