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Cybersecurity tips: Coronavirus scam alert

Cyber criminals use moments of uncertainty to trick us into clicking on unsafe links or opening unsafe files. Often, they take advantage of topics in the news. 

We have seen many reports of COVID-19-related scams, like:
  • fake coronavirus updates, and information about testing and tracing on web pages that distribute malware
  • emails about updated policies that require you to open an unsafe attachment, and
  • phony charities soliciting donations or asking for your personal information.

Following the tips below can help protect you in both your work and personal lives.

Be cautious when you see any unsolicited emails referencing coronavirus.
Do not trust unsolicited information until you verify the source of that information. 
Be suspicious of sensational headlines in emails.
If an email contains a news headline that catches your attention as suspicious, do not click on the link and do a web search for the headline instead. If the news is true, you can find out without making a risky click.
Confirm with the sender before opening any unexpected attachments.
If you receive an unexpected or suspicious email containing an attachment, do not open it and do not click on any links in the email. If you know the sender, please verify the email with them by call or text. 
Verify charities before donating.
If you wish to make a donation to help those in need, make sure your donation gets to those in need by confirming a charity’s legitimacy at charitynavigator.org. Additionally, crowdfunding sites like GoFundMe are popular and effective ways to raise money. However, it can be difficult to ensure that your money is actually going towards the anticipated cause, so we encourage you to remain mindful and do your research. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has provided some guidance on crowdfunding and protecting yourself. 
Official sources of coronavirus information
Please continue to use the websites below as trusted sources of information related to COVID-19: 
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