A contact tracer from your state health department might call if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19. But scammers are pretending to be contact tracers, too. Here’s how you can spot the scam.
Real contact tracers won’t ask you for money.
Only scammers insist on payment by gift card, money transfer, or cryptocurrency.
Contact tracing doesn’t require your bank account or credit card number.
Nevershareaccountinformationwithanybodywho contacts you asking for it.
Legitimate contact tracers will never ask for your Social Security number.
Never give any part of your Social Security number to anyone who contacts you.
Your immigration status doesn’t matter for contact tracing, so real tracers won’t ask.
If they do, you can bet it’s a scam.
Do not click on a link in a text or email.
Doing so can download malware onto your device
Talking to a real contact tracer helps stop the spread of COVID-19. Reporting scammers helps stop them, too. Report fake contact tracers to your state and at ftc.gov/complaint.
For more information about contact tracing, visit this link