MPD Warns of Coronavirus Scams in Washington, D.C.

Thursday, March 26, 2020

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) would like to warn the public about potentially fraudulent activity in the District of Columbia related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

During this public health emergency, scammers have taken an opportunity to defraud citizens in various ways. MPD has recently been notified of individuals in the District going door-to-door attempting to sell “Coronavirus insurance”. Those interactions are suspected to be fraudulent.

In effort to keep the community safe, MPD asks the public to avoid the following COVID-19 related scams:

Individuals offering to sell treatment for COVID-19, such as cures, vaccines, and insurance.
Online sales of high demand medical supplies such as surgical masks.
Telephone calls or emails demanding funds for COVID-19 treatment or other medical services.
Solicitation of donations for those affected by COVID-19.
Phishing telephone calls, text messages, or emails from national and global health authorities asking to provide personal and/or financial information.
COVID-19 apps or downloads that can potentially compromise users’ devices and personal information with malware.
Investments claiming to prevent, detect, or cure COVID-19.

The Department takes matters such as this seriously and will hold such offenders accountable for their actions.

If you have been a victim or have knowledge of a suspected Coronavirus fraud or scams in Washington, D.C., please contact the Metropolitan Police Department Financial and Cyber Crimes Unit at 202-727-4159 or [email protected].

For more information and resources about COVID-19, please visit coronavirus.dc.gov

Attachment(s):

AMHARIC 3.26.20 MPD Warns of Coronavirus Scams in Washington DC.pdf
ARABIC 3.26.20 MPD Warns of Coronavirus Scams in Washington DC.pdf
CHINESE 3.26.20 MPD Warns of Coronavirus Scams in Washington DC.pdf
FRENCH 3.26.20 MPD Warns of Coronavirus Scams in Washington DC.pdf
KOREAN 3.26.20 MPD Warns of Coronavirus Scams in Washington DC.pdf
SPANISH 3.26.20 MPD Warns of Coronavirus Scams in Washington DC.pdf
VIETNAMESE 3.26.20 MPD Warns of Coronavirus Scams in Washington DC.pdf

Content retrieved from: https://mpdc.dc.gov/release/mpd-warns-coronavirus-scams-washington-dc.