Life-altering events bring out the best and the worst in people. They also tend to reveal insurable risks as well as the benefits of carrying coverage against those risks. The COVID-19 pandemic has been just such a life-altering event. It follows that coronavirus scams began to pop up almost as soon as containment measures became "the new normal," and that fresh cybersecurity risks surfaced alongside social distancing protocols as more people began spending more time on digital devices. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners was among the many voices, both within and outside the insurance industry, to raise a red flag when it came to cybercriminals praying on coronavirus fear in order to exploit companies and individuals with the following cybercrimes:

• Vaccine and treatment scams
• Shopping scams
• Medical scams
• Charity scams
• Phishing and malware scams
• App scams
• Investment scams

Vulnerable populations

Like many regulators in recent weeks, the Utah Insurance Department has been alerting consumers to various COVID-19 related scams. Among them: Fraud aimed at Americans' economic stimulus dollars, calling this extra income "an enticing target for scammers." Some of these scams include:

• Stimulus payment scams— Fake phone calls and phishing schemes try to get your stimulus cash. The IRS won't phone, text, or email you about your payment and won't require a fee to get it.
• Contractor scams— Con artists may try to persuade you to sign over your stimulus payment or charge your insurance for poor home improvement work or damage repair.
• Fake insurance protections— Scammers are offering low-priced "corona insurance" to cover COVID-19 treatment. Just hang up.
• Trip cancellation insurance— Standard travel insurance may not cover pandemics. Be wary of offers that cover COVID-19 related trip cancellations.

Utah insurance regulators also have been concerned with coronavirus fraud aimed at seniors. To that end, the Utah Insurance Department recently showcased tips from the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud designed to help seniors prevent becoming the victim of a COVID-19 scam. The slideshow above highlights a half-dozen scams that regulators and consumer advocates believe seniors should know about. 

Avoid becoming a victim

Consumers, in general, should follow these tips from the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud to protect themselves from COVID-19 scams:

• Do not respond to robocalls, unknown texts, emails or door-to-door solicitors.
• "Free" COVID-19 tests, vaccines, supplies or treatments are shams. Ignore them.
• Never click on links from unknown sources. Clicking may download malware.
• Contact a trusted doctor or other health provider to check your medical status, order a COVID-19 test — and learn the facts.
• Verify requests for your Medicare or Medicaid info before responding.

Related:

• Coronavirus work-from-home response a boon for cybercriminal exploitation
• What the coronavirus can teach us about fighting insurance fraud
• The InsurTech response to COVID-19
• Working smart: Keys to reducing cybercrime losses