COVID 19 scams are popping up everywhere on the internet and in your personal email.

P.T. Barnum is thought to have coined the phrase, “There’s a sucker born every minute.”

Don’t be this minute’s sucker!

Use common sense and remember that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is a con.

There are scams offering free cell phones (to relieve the loneliness and connect with others), relief from debt, dietary supplements and tea blends as a supposed cure or prevention, and “special” disinfectants advertised as cheaper, better, safer or natural, etc.

Don’t be a victim and avoid the scams!

Help Protect Yourself.

•Buy your virus-related products, masks, sanitizer, etc. only from reputable dealers, preferably from larger or well-known retailers with whom you have done business in the past.

•Get your information from trusted sources that you have used before – Penn State Extension, the Pennsylvania State Department of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A suffix of .org or .edu is an indication that the information is based on science and research and is a reliable source of information.

•Avoid sharing and frightening others by re-posting unattributed social media posts – circulate only accurate and current information from a reputable site like those previously mentioned.

•Beware of offers for goods sent to your email from companies and individuals that you don’t recognize.

•Be wary of investment opportunities, low-interest loans or other products offering financial relief.

•Never give out your personal credit card or account information to a caller if you did not initiate the call.

•If you are shopping online, be sure the website is secure before providing personal information. Look at the address bar or click on the web address. All legitimate web sites will display a small lock icon, or the letters “https...” at the beginning of the address. If you do not see either of those indicators, leave that site!

•Contribute to charity if your heart so desires but choose known and responsible charities to support. Ask a friend or family members about any crowdfunding (i.e. GoFundMe, Kickstarter, and others) requests that you receive to see if it is legitimate before sending contributions. Better yet, contribute to your favorite local charities or causes that need support during this difficult time.

•Know that currently there are no vaccines, pills, potions, lotions, lozenges or other prescription or over-the-counter products available to treat or cure Coronavirus disease 2019 - neither online nor in stores.

If You Have Been Scammed.

If you think you have been the victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement officials.

To file a complaint about a company or a transaction, call the PA Department of Bank Services at 1-800-PA-BANKS or 1-800-722-2657.

Stressful times play on our thoughts and emotions.

Protect yourself from scams by taking some time to talk it over with family and friends before making any decisions.

Receiving objective feedback may prevent you from falling for a scam. Use common sense and stay safe.

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Editor’s note: Denise Continenza is the family living educator for Penn State Extension, Lehigh and Northampton counties.