Hello everyone! As you already know, there are lots of phone scammers who use the coronavirus to get your data, your money or both. But there is something new that is related to the COVID-19 pandemic, that you need to know about: Coronavirus contact tracing program!

The coronavirus contact tracing program is designed to inform infected residents and those who were in a close contact with an infected person. It is helpful in order to reduce the risk of infecting other people. Massachusetts is one of the first states that developed such a program. But with all the robocalls and telephone-scammers (like we already informed you in an older post) there is one problem: Charlie Baker, the governor of Massachusetts claims that more than half of the people did not pick up their phones when the investigators called them. Massachusetts has already launched a campaign in order to explain the importance of picking up a call from the coronavirus contact tracing program.

So far so good, but the scammers are still out there as well and therefore the 1 Million dollar question is: How can you tell if it is a serious call or a scam?

tellows has got some tips for you:

1. Investigators of the coronavirus contact tracing program will never try to sell you vaccines, pills, lotions or other things. If a person does this on the phone, it is a scam.

2. Investigators of the coronavirus contact tracing program do not ask you question about your financial situation or other sensitive topics.

3. If you feel unsure, tell the person that you will call him/her back and get in contact with your local hospital and inform them about the phone call.

4. Check if your state or city (like Massachusetts) mentions specific area codes that are used by the coronavirus contact tracing program.

5. At least in Massachusetts they are currently speaking with telephone companies in order to make it possible that their contact tracers are identified as “MA COVID TEAM” on any call. If this should happen, it is easier for you to identify serious calls.

6. Check the number that called you on tellows- there are already a lot of scam-numbers related to the coronavirus reported by the community.

Last but not least: If you have been victimized by a phone scam related to corona virus, remember to rate the number on tellows or our App (Android/iOS).

Source: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/coronavirus-contact-tracers-nemeses-people-answer-phones/story?id=70693586

Your tellows team