Community News
Scams present themselves across a variety of mediums, such as text messages, emails, phone calls, websites, door to door approaches and many others. Scams can affect people of all ages and backgrounds and hit us when we are most vulnerable. One unifying theme with scams are that they all contain a dishonest attempt to steal money or something of value from you.

With this, scammers are out there working harder than ever to take advantage of you during the COVID-19 outbreak. The WCC wants to keep you informed with all the latest scam alerts. Please read below.
A Consumer Guide To Scams
Mass.gov has put together a great consumer guide to scams explaining how scammers gain your confidence to giving up information. Please click the link below to read the article and learn how to be prepared if a scam comes your way.
A Message From UniBank - Beware Of Stimulus Payment Scams
Many individuals will be receiving stimulus payments, also known as Economic Impact Payments, in the coming weeks. These will come either as a direct deposit or a paper check. There are reports of scams targeting these payments and we want to provide you with information that may help you protect yourself and your money.

  • Phishing & Malware - Fraudsters oftentimes send texts or emails claiming that you can get your money faster by sending your personal information or clicking links that can infect your device with malware. DO NOT reply or click any links. Delete the text or email.

  • Bank Scams - Scammers sometimes impersonate a bank employee calling or emailing you requesting account information or your Social Security number. UniBank won't ask for financial or personal information through email, text or unsolicited calls. Hang up or delete the email immediately.

  • Phone Scams - Fraudsters impersonating Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agents could call asking that you verify personal information in order to receive your stimulus check. They could also claim that you owe money and need to sign your check over to them. DO NOT provide any information and hang up the phone. Never engage in the conversation - you could be putting your information at risk.

  • Counterfeit Check Scams - Scammers may send fake stimulus checks. There are some things to look for when verifying the validity of a check. Fake checks may be for an odd amount -- a real check will not include cents -- fake checks may also require you to visit a website or call a number to confirm. DO NOT call the number or visit a website. Visit the IRS website to learn more, www.irs.gov. If this has happened to you, please also call your personal bank immediately to notify them.
A Message From Open Sky - Observed Malicious Email Subject Lines
Cyber threat groups and cybercriminals are using the COVID-19 pandemic as part of their cyber operations. These cyber threat actors will often masquerade as trusted entities. Their activity includes using coronavirus-themed phishing messages or malicious applications, often masquerading as trusted entities that may have been previously compromised.

Threats observed include:
  • Phishing: using the subject of coronavirus or COVID-19 as a lure
  • Malware distribution: using coronavirus- or COVID-19- themed lures
  • Registration of new domain names containing wording related to coronavirus or COVID-19
  • Example: There is a malicious Android app that purports to provide a real-time coronavirus outbreak tracker but instead attempts to trick the user into providing administrative access to install "CovidLock" ransomware on their device
  • Opening a file (such as an email attachment) that contains malware. For example, email subject lines contain COVID-19-related phrases such as “Coronavirus Update” or “2019-nCov: Coronavirus outbreak in your city (Emergency)”
  • Malicious cyber actors may spoof sender information in an email to make it appear to come from a trustworthy source, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) or an individual with “Dr.” in their title. In several examples, actors send phishing emails that contain links to a fake email login page. Other emails purport to be from an organization’s human resources (HR) department and advise the employee to open the attachment.
  • Malicious file attachments containing malware payloads may be named with coronavirus or COVID-19-related themes, such as “President discusses budget savings due to coronavirus with Cabinet.rtf.”

Examples of phishing email subject lines include:
  • 2020 Coronavirus Updates
  • Coronavirus Updates
  • 2019-nCov: New confirmed cases in your City
  • 2019-nCov: Coronavirus outbreak in your city (Emergency)

These emails contain a call to action, encouraging the victim to visit a website that malicious cyber actors use for stealing valuable data, such as usernames and passwords, credit card information, and other personal information.
A Message From Webster First Federal Credit Union - Avoiding Fraud
Unfortunately, COVID-19 has coincided with a rise in fraud and scams. The FTC has advised the public of the following:
 
  • Don’t click on links from sources you don’t know. They could download viruses onto your computer or device.
  • Watch for emails claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control or experts saying that have information about the virus. For the most up-to-date information about the Coronavirus, visit the CDC at cdc.gov and the World Health Organization at who.int.
  • Ignore online offers for vaccinations. There currently are no vaccines, pills, or other prescription or over-the-counter products available to treat or cure COVID-19.
  • Do your homework when it comes to donations, whether through charities or crowdfunding sites. Don’t let anyone rush you into making a donation. If someone wants donations in cash, by gift card, or by wiring money, don’t do it.
 
For more information about protecting yourself from fraud, please visit the FTC’s Coronavirus Scams webpage.
AARP Coronavirus Scam Alerts
Scammers are doing what they always do – using headlines as opportunities to steal money or sensitive personal information and COVID-19 is no exception. The AARP Fraud Watch Network has received reports of door to door, telephone, email, and ad scams offering everything from testing kits to miracle cures to “Trump dollars.” Please read below.
U.S. Small Business Administration - Scams & Fraud Alerts
The Office of Inspector General recognizes that we are facing unprecedented times and is alerting the public about potential fraud schemes related to economic stimulus programs offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration in response to the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19). The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the largest financial assistance bill to date, includes provisions to help small businesses. Fraudsters have already begun targeting small business owners during these economically difficult times. Be on the lookout for grant fraud, loan fraud, and phishing.

For more information please click the button below.
Office Of Inspector General - Healthcare Fraud
The Office of Inspector General recognizes that we are facing unprecedented times and is alerting the public about potential fraud schemes related to economic stimulus programs offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration in response to the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19). The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the largest financial assistance bill to date, includes provisions to help small businesses. Fraudsters have already begun targeting small business owners during these economically difficult times. Be on the lookout for grant fraud, loan fraud, and phishing.

For more information please click the button below.
U.S. Marshals Service - Phone Scams
The U.S. Marshals and the FBI are alerting the public of several nationwide imposter scams involving individuals claiming to be U.S. marshals, court officers, or other law enforcement officials. They are urging people to report the calls their  Local FBI office  and file a consumer complaint with the  Federal Trade Commission , which has the ability to detect patterns of fraud from the information collected and share that data with law enforcement.

For more information please click the button below.
USA.gov - Coronavirus Scams, rumors, and Price Gouging
During the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, scammers may try to take advantage of you through misinformation and scare tactics. They might get in touch by phone, email, postal mail, text, or social media. Protect your money and your identity by not sharing personal information like your bank account number, Social Security number, or date of birth. Learn more about these scams and how to report them.

For more information please click the button below.
Protect yourself and others by reporting any scams to your local police department, in addition to the appropriate organizations and your personal bank.