Scam artists are using the coronavirus outbreak to swindle Californians into giving up personal information, according to the California Department of Justice. California Attorney General Xavier Becerra on Monday issued a consumer alert warning that scammers may attempt to contact you while posing as COVID-19 contact tracers.
These scammers use phone calls, email and texts to ask for personal information, such as your Social Security number or financial information.
Actual contact tracers help local health departments track the spread of COVID-19, including tracking down people who may have come into contact with the coronavirus and without being aware of doing so. They ask for medical symptoms and anyone who you may have come into contact with. They will not ask for personal financial information or your Social Security number.
If anyone asks you for your personal information and claims to be a contact tracer, hang up or do not respond. This is a scam.
If you come across such scams, report them to our California Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) at 1-855-613-7080.
You can also download our contact tracing fraud alert in English and Spanish. And see our other fraud alerts here.
