Scam Alert: Bucks Co. Police Warn Of Coronavirus Crimes

BENSALEM, PA — In times of crisis like the current coronavirus pandemic, criminals always are quick to try to take advantage.

In Bucks County, law enforcement officials say they've already started to see scam attempts related to the outbreak. On Friday, Fred Harran, public safety director in Bensalem, shared a video outlining some of the scam attempt authorities have seen so far.

"It's unfortunate that scammers are targeting vulnerable people. Be very careful and wary of people asking you for private information," Harran said. "They're attacking people via emails, maybe door-to-door, phone calls and also through social media. If it looks too good to be true, it is too good to be true."

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Here's a look at the types of scams Harran warned residents about:

• Testing Scams. Criminals are selling fake, at-home testing kits door-to-door or online. This type of kit does not currently exist.
• Treatment Scams. Fake cures, vaccines and other unproven treatments are being promoted. "Any type of treatments that come out from medical research will come from doctors or hospitals," Harran said. "They will not come via way of packaging to your house."
• Supply Scams. Shops, websites and social media accounts are claiming to have masks, wipes and other supplies that they don't really have. "You have to use common sense when you're purchasing these things," Harran said.
• Provider Scams. By phone or other means, criminals claim they treated a loved one of yours and need money for payment in order to continue the treatment.
• Charity Scams. People soliciting donations for people impacted by the virus. Unless they are well-known organizations, either nationally or locally, do not give money to people seeking donations.
• Imposter Scams. Criminals are posing online as representatives from the CDC or other organizations and asking for information to track the coronavirus. In some cases, they're trying to put malware onto your computer to get personal information. "These organizations are not soliciting at this time through the internet," Harran said. "Be very, very careful who you accept mail from on your computer."
• App Scams. Fake apps for your phone or computer claim to help track COVID-19 but, again, are attempts to access your personal information.
• Investment Scams. Online promotions claim they have products that fight the new coronavirus and offer opportunities to "invest" in the products.
• Stimulus Check Scams. Fake emails are being sent asking for personal information in order to deliver funds approved by Congress in the coronavirus stimulus package. "The federal government will not be sending you unsolicited emails asking you personal information," Harran said.

Anyone in Bensalem who thinks they've been targeted by a coronavirus-related scam is asked to emailcovidscam@bensalempa.gov.