Coronavirus-Related Scams: How To Avoid Getting Swindled

the FBI and the Federal Trade Commission are increasing efforts to crack down on an explosion of scams related to the corona virus outbreak the rise in scams have come in the form of email phishing campaigns fraudulent goods and disinformation campaigns according to a report from a cyber security company now joining on zum-zum is Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex B and the waiver so Sheriff we've got people out there as they always do when people are at their most vulnerable they're desperate they're looking for answers and they're preying upon them what advice can you tell people just generally to protect them from these scammers well there's a special place in hell for people like this and for people to be on the lookout for them just be aware government does not work on sending emails we don't work with unsolicited knocking at your door unsolicited phone calls it was unsolicited red flag has to go up immediately if you have a doubt about it call your local law enforcement eight I had this person on my door can you help me verify who they are most important to never never ever let them inside your home don't let them distract you because a lot of times they work in pairs one person at the front door the other persons at the back door going to side your house cleaning your out while you're talking to the guy at the front of the house one of the mad is the Southern California Edison scam they're knocking on the door and saying we're here to disconnect you for non-payment so you've got to pay us $100 now or $200 now and people are falling for this they're giving them cash on the front door and they don't work that way Southern California sand doesn't show up and knock on the door and demand cash correct correct every transaction they do is via mail and you can go online to your account with Southern California Edison for example as the only way bills are settled there's nothing ever elected in person for any of the utilities right and for more information about these possible scams you can go to WWE C gov and we'll put that up on our website so you can and the tips from the FTC say don't click on links from sources you don't know and watch for emails claiming to be from the CDC and Prevention or experts saying they have some kind of cure for the virus because we don't have a cure we don't have vaccinations and they're offering you vaccines pills potions lotions lozenges or prescriptions for over-the-counter things that are going to protect you those just don't exist so don't fall for that they're just absolutely not there do your homework and as the sheriff says pick up the phone if somebody is on your front porch and call because you guys will come and run them off right you will do exactly that in fact they'll be gone before we get there usually because they know we're coming and a big flag is they were asking for these gift cards in cash either of those two things four big flags right yes correctly we only do business via check account to account online through the website of the utility that's the only way transactions are done right now Sheriff I can't tell you how much I appreciate your time here today is there any final message that you really want people to know in here I you know for me I've listened to this stay at home message shelter at home message and I take this very seriously I'm following every guideline I'm adhering to social distancing the self isolation I'm not doing anything that's not essential and I'm resisting congregating with other people and trying to flatten this curve out and I want to be a good example for that I'm trying to do all of that is there any other message that you want people to hear from you because you're a powerful leader in this community so I'd like them to hear any message from you well first I want to thank you dr.

Phil for the message you're doing that is a public service announcement that is the best thing possible we can do and I agree with you my Instagram is at La Co Sheriff and then hashtag flatten the curve exactly that we're all in this together and the more we work together to keeping the distance we're gonna minimize a sprint eventually the virus is gonna die out when they run out of hosts that's the entire idea of flattening that curve so the more we work together the reward is the entire time the number of lives affected is going to be minimized so let's get this together.