Scammers prey on the vulnerable in pandemic

The state Departments of Health and Aging warn of schemes involving contact tracing.

Scams typically target people when they are most vulnerable, and now it seems even a pandemic is considered fair game to those preying on unsuspecting victims.

A warning issued last week by the state Departments of Health and Aging noted that Pennsylvanians should be aware of scams involving contact tracing, the process of health officials calling people who may have been exposed to COVID-19 to alert them and determine their recent contacts who may also have been exposed.

Contact tracing is considered a key step in controlling the spread of the coronavirus, but for it to be effective, citizens have to be trusting and open with tracers. Scams threaten that requisite confidence.

According to the state warning, scams are cropping up in which callers posing as contact tracers may ask for someone’s Social Security number or payment for tracing services — neither of which are ever a component of a contact tracing inquiry.

“Contact-tracing is vital in the state’s efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 and we want Pennsylvanians to be confident that if they receive a call from a contact-tracer that the call is legitimate,” state Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said.

Across the state, the goal is that within 24 hours of receiving the positive result reported into the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System, trained public health staff conduct an interview for a case investigation with the newly confirmed COVID-19 case to obtain a list of close contacts they had while infectious.

Methods used, after initial phone call, may include phone calls, texts, emails and mailings. Contact tracers will not say who exposed the individual in order to keep their information confidential.

Scammers are attempting to take advantage of how this process works by pretending to be contact tracers and trying to get personal information out of victims through phone calls or electronic messages.

A contact tracer may ask:

• For verification of your date of birth, address, and any other phone numbers you may have; and

• If you have already tested positive for COVID-19 they may also ask for the date and location of where you were tested.

A contact tracer will never ask for:

• Your social security number, financial or bank account information, or personal details unrelated to your potential exposure to someone with COVID-19;

• Personal information through SMS/text message or send you to any website link asking for personal information;

• Photographs or videos of any kind;

• Passwords; or

• Money or payment. A contact tracer will never share your information with any local, state or federal law enforcement agency.

Pennsylvania Secretary of Aging Robert Torres noted that older adults are at particular risk of being victims of this insidious type of scam.

“Scammers prefer to prey on individuals who may be more trusting, are alone, or may respond out of confusion or fear,” said Torres. “COVID-19 has isolated many older adults from family and other supports. Therefore, it’s understandable that an older adult, hearing that they may have been exposed, would want to cooperate with any effort to protect themselves or a loved one.”

Six months into this pandemic, we are still learning how to cope. The nature of the coronavirus disease has made senior citizens most vulnerable, and as Torres notes, that makes older adults also most conscious and fearful of how the disease spreads — emotions that play into the hand of scammers.

We may not be socializing as much, but we can still look out for each other. Call elderly or fragile family members and neighbors and let them know to be wary of calls. If someone is a contact tracer, it’s important to provide the appropriate information. But if it’s a scam, the questions will be different and then it’s essential to just hang up.

This threat is dangerous and hurtful, not only for the potential to steal identity or funds but also for the potential to interfere with the contact tracing process to stop coronavirus spread. If in doubt, call 1-877-PA HEALTH (1-877-724-3258) to verify the tracer. Our new habits of masks, tests and tracing are meant to stop the virus. Don’t let scammers interfere.