Public is urged to report suspected fraud related to virus

As responses and impacts from COVID-19 continue, there inevitably will be those who try to take advantage of the situation.

In coordination with the Department of Justice, Attorney General William Barr has directed U.S. attorneys to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of coronavirus fraud schemes. On that directive, Acting South Carolina U.S. Attorney A. Lance Crick is urging the public to report suspected fraud schemes related to the virus by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud hotline at 1-866-720-5721. People can also email disaster@leo.gov.

"In these extraordinary times, criminals are taking advantage of the most vulnerable Americans through various COVID-19 phone schemes," Crick said.

Some examples of these schemes include:

- Individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19 online and engaging in other forms of fraud;

- Phishing emails from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;

- Malicious websites and apps that appear to share Coronavirus-related information to gain and lock access to your devices until payment is received;

- Seeking donations fraudulently for illegitimate or non-existent charitable organizations; and

- Medical providers obtaining patient information for COVID-19 testing and then using that information to fraudulently bill for other tests and procedures.

In a memorandum to U.S. attorneys issued March 19, Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen also directed each U.S. attorney to appoint a Coronavirus fraud coordinator to serve as the legal counsel for the federal judicial district on matters relating to the Coronavirus, direct the prosecution of Coronavirus-related crimes, and to conduct outreach and awareness activities. The District of South Carolina's Coronavirus fraud coordinator is Assistant United States Attorney Derek A. Shoemake.

The NCDF can receive and enter complaints into a centralized system that can be accessed by all U.S. attorneys, as well as Justice Department litigating and law enforcement components to identify, investigate and prosecute fraud schemes. The NCDF coordinates complaints with 16 additional federal law enforcement agencies, as well as state attorneys general and local authorities.