Scammers use contact tracing as cover for fraud

BELLA VISTA — The Arkansas Attorney General’s office reports scam calls coming in are seeking to take advantage of high unemployment and covid-19 contact tracing.

According to a news release issued by the office July 8, scammers are using ongoing Arkansas Department of Health contact tracing — a method of tracking an infectious disease outbreak — as cover to collect people’s personal information.

A common tactic, according to the release, is to send someone a text message containing a link indicating a positive test result but instead provides the scammer with personal data from the individual’s phone.

The release indicates people who have tested positive should expect to be contacted by Department of Health staff to identify individuals they have been in close contact with.

This process will not cost money and the Attorney General’s office encouraged people to avoid giving out personal bank account information or buying gift cards to pay scam artists.

Links in emails or text messages should be avoided if the recipient has not signed up to receive the messages and unsolicited email or texts should be verified by contacting the Department of Health at ADH.CoronaVirus@arkansas.gov or by phone at (800) 803-7847.

A second recent scam, which the office has reportedly received nearly 200 complaints of so far, involves scam artists using residents’ personal information to apply for unemployment benefits or, in other cases, residents who have received unemployment money have received calls with scammers stating a mistake was made and asking them to forward the money.

Attorney General’s office communications director Amanda Priest said this scam appears to be even more common.

Because of covid-19 concerns, the Department of Workforce Services is doing online contactless applications for unemployment benefits, which require employer verification, name, date of birth and Social Security number — meaning scammers who have obtained personal information are able to file for benefits under their victims’ names, the release reports.

Anyone who suspects his information has been used to fraudulently apply for unemployment benefits should file a police report and contact the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services at (501) 682-1058, according to the document.

The fraud should also be reported to his or her employer and credit scores should be checked with all three major credit reporting agencies.

Any victims of financial identity theft should submit police reports and other relevant information to the Attorney General’s Office to apply for an identity theft support, according to the release.

To file a complaint about potential scams, residents can call the Attorney General’s office at (800) 482-8982, email oag@arkansasag.gov or visit ArkansasAG.gov.

A common tactic is to send someone a text message containing a link indicating a positive test result but instead provides the scammer with personal data from the individual’s phone.