Wilmington Coronavirus: Police Warn Of Coronavirus Scams

WILMINGTON, MA — The Wilmington Police Department warned residents this week about coronavirus scams. Scammers are preying on concern about the new virus to steal information and ask for money. Many of the scams look similar to typical ones, but with the new virus as an added wrinkle.

"It is likely, that every resident will be a potential victim of a COVID-19 related scam," the police said. "The attempts could come in many different forms, some haven’t even been thought of yet. Don’t let it happen. Be vigilant, be suspicious, watch your parents and watch your neighbors. If something does not seem right, hit the pause button."

The department offered the following ts for recognizing and avoiding scams:

• Scammers will attempt to contact you by phone, mail, email, messages, or computer virus.
• Be careful of links attached to emails.
• Don’t give out Medicare or Medicaid numbers.
• Ignore advertisements for test kits.
• Doctor and nurses do not make unsolicited calls.
• An email, phone call, or any other correspondence that requires “immediate” action is scam.
• Anything with high alert terms like “dire,” “must act now,” “you will be arrested,” etc., is likely a scam.

The department shared coronavirus scam information from INTERPOL.

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Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chirs.huffaker@patch.com.