Scammers, sleazebags, sociopaths, low-life snakes, miscreants, degenerates, criminals… call them what you like, but this pandemic has brought all kinds of unsavory characters into focus- locally and nationally. People preying on other people or vital systems; people trying to wring money out of the unsuspecting at a time when many are scared, hurting, vulnerable, and frustrated. And the reprobates rarely get caught.
It’s happening nowadays when more people are more susceptible. These vermin try to beat you and the system. They try to get people to provide personal information over the phone. They try to get undeserved unemployment pay. They try to ply elderly or frail people into actually paying for coronavirus vaccines. They steal information from people on social media (yes, good old social media) who show off their new COVID-19 vaccination cards, which might contain birthdate and/or insurance ID information. Counterfeit cards can then be produced, sold, and used for air travel when vaccination proof might soon be required.
Scamming is not new. Societal problems cause deviant manipulators to look for new ways to take advantage of people and systems. At my workplace, we received an unemployment claim in the name of a former Hawai`i Congressional representative. Yes, we caught it in time.
Unemployment fraud has increased here since people have lost jobs and federal funds became more readily available. Thieves steal names and personal information. And investment fraud has been around a long time.
Anybody calling you up and asking for computer information, passwords, your mother’s maiden name- any kind of security information- quickly end the conversation. Hang up. There have been online examples where people’s information, once provided, is then used by others to get food. And then there’s the old “Hey, you’ve just won a sweepstakes” scam- where you’re simply asked to pay a fee and “we’ll send you the money!”
The elderly are being targeted through email addresses nowadays vs. the old method of dubious phone calls. People are being asked to buy gift or credit cards in stores, and then asked to provide the card numbers to the caller for “activation”. Basically, if it sounds too good to be true- it IS! If you’re asked for any personal information that you’re not comfortable giving out over the phone- don’t give. When in doubt, check it out. Stay wary and be smart. By the way, the COVID-109 vaccine, when it’s your turn, it’s free.
Think about it…