The Douglas County Sheriff's Office wants to remind residents about scammers who might take advantage of the COVID-19 scare.
Officials said the scare has created the opportunity for cyber criminals to prey on vulnerable citizens. They said the criminals are using phishing, where they send emails claiming to be form legitimate organizations with important information about the virus.
Officials say the scam emails will ask you to open an attachment to see the latest news or statistics. The attachment or link will likely download malicious software on your device, and the malware could allow cybercriminals to take control of your computer, log your keystrokes, or access your personal information and financial data, all leading to identity theft.
Douglas County Sheriff's Office says residents should follow these cyber safety tips:
- Don’t click on links from sources you do not know.
- Watch for emails claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or experts saying they have information about the virus. For accurate and reliable information about the coronavirus, visit the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization’s official websites.
- Ignore online offers for vaccinations, pills, potions or anything claiming to cure the disease.
- Do your research when donating to a charitable cause. Never let anyone rush you to make a donation and never give cash, gift cards or wire money. Keep your donations local with organizations you have dealt with and trust.
They also urged residents not to open doors for strangers offering to sell anything unsolicited and never give your credit card information to a door-to-door salesperson.
Additional scam tips can be found at www.IC3.gov.
(The Douglas County Sheriff's Office contributed to this report).
