COVID-19 Contact Tracing Scams

Summary

Contact tracers for COVID-19 are usually hired by a state’s Department of Health and typically call and send text messages to infected individuals while in quarantine. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a warning that cyber-criminals are impersonating contact tracers and sending text messages with a link that, if clicked, installs malware that is used to access personal and financial information. Contract tracers will not ask for personal or financial information or include links in text messages.

Recommendations

The NJCCIC recommends users and organizations educate themselves and others on these continuing threats and tactics to reduce victimization. We also recommend users update to strong passwords for all accounts, enable multi-factor authentication where available, keep all software and hardware updated, exercise caution with unexpected or suspicious communications, and refrain from sharing personal or financial information without verifying the requestor via a separate means of communication.