There are a number of scams in circulation inviting the reader to register to receive updates on the development of Covid-19 and offering a range of products & services. “Registration” involves disclosing a lot of personal information. The sites look like official sites like World Health Organisation or Ministry of Health. The scams take many forms including insurance policies, pension plans, fraudulent charities, bogus sanitisers, gels and tests.
How it works:
Scammers and attackers are using the public interest in COVD-19 to create the following opportunistic online scams.
Reports have been received of COVID-19 themed text messages that have a link that claims to direct people to testing facilities. This link is not legitimate and instead may install malicious software on your mobile device designed to steal your personal information.
- Phishing emails claiming to have updated COVID-19 information
Individuals have been targeted by Coronavirus-themed emails, with infected attachments that may install malicious software on your computer.
Security researchers have identified a new campaign where the attackers claim to have a ‘coronavirus map’ application that people can download on their devices. Instead the application is malware, designed to steal personal information.
What to do:
All emails to date have indicated the importance of only using known reliable sources of information – see Where to get Advice From
Please be cautious and vigilant and be aware of what you click.
