FRAUD I CORONAVIRUS FRAUD SCHEMES I COVID-19 SCAMS – The Coronavirus Crisis has created an Increase in Fraud and the FTC is warning Consumers

FRAUD I CORONAVIRUS FRAUD SCHEMES I COVID-19 SCAMS – The Coronavirus Crisis has created an Increase in Fraud and the FTC is warning Consumers

April 2, 2020

The coronavirus pandemic unleashes unprecedented number of online and telephonic scams. Following the stay-at-home order issued in response to the Coronavirus outbreak the risk of scams has spiked.  Total losses from Coronavirus fraud is estimated to be around $4.77 million, with a reported median loss of $598.  Given the vast increase of fraud claims, the FTC has stepped in and most recently issued a “Scam Bingo Card” to warn consumers.  To see the “FTC Scam Bingo Card”, this is a link to the FTC website: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/sites/www.consumer.ftc.gov/files/scam-bingo-v4.pdf

The recent coronavirus fraud scams are directed to two specific groups of individuals: (1) those recently unemployed and concerned of their financial state; and (2) those with heightened fear of contracting the covid-19 virus. Typical coronavirus fraud scams include:

• Companies making false representations about how their products can treat coronavirus;
• Companies making misrepresentations about how their products can prevent contracting the Covid-19 virus;
• Text messages alleging to be from big names store such as “Costco” alleging to be part of the Covid-19 “stimulus package”
• “VoIP”(Voice over Internet Protocol), Internet phone companies and robocalls engaging in illegal Coronavirus telemarketing, by offering:
  • Fake Covid-19 testing supplies, often for Medicare recipients
  • Free Coronavirus Testing Kits often in exchange for personal information
  • Offering Covid-19 Sanitations Supplies
  • Health insurance pitches directed to the recently unemployed
  • Mortgage scams as a sort of Coronavirus relief measure
  • Covid-19 small business assistance scams

For more articles discussing Coronavirus Fraud see these links below:

• Fraud follows coronavirus spread; fake vaccines, testing, investment scams are exacting a toll: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/04/03/coronavirus-fraud-fake-tests-bogus-cures-and-vaccines-take-root/5112827002/
• Coronavirus scams include Costco ‘Stimulus Check’ ploy, FBI Warns: https://www.foxnews.com/us/coronavirus-scams-costco-stimulus-check-fbi-warning
• Coronavirus Scams: Watch out for these efforts to exploit the Pandemic: https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattperez/2020/03/16/coronavirus-scams-watch-out-for-these-efforts-to-exploit-the-pandemic/#26ad368f6103
• FBI Coronavirus Warning: ‘Significant Spike’ In COVID-19 Scams Targeting These Three States: https://www.forbes.com/sites/daveywinder/2020/03/21/fbi-coronavirus-warning-significant-spike-in-covid-19-scams-targeting-these-three-states/#ab0457443eeb

For further articles discussing Coronavirus and Employment please see the links below: 

• WRONGFUL TERMINATION I EMPLOYMENT I CORONAVIRUS – TERMINATED IN VIOLATION OF CALIFORNIA’S STAY-AT-HOME ORDER: http://dianalegal.com/wrongful-termination-i-employment-i-coronavirus-terminated-in-violation-of-californias-stay-at-home-order/
• WRONGFUL TERMINATION I EMPLOYMENT I CORONAVIRUS – CALIFORNIA EMPLOYEES WRONGFULLY TERMINATED BECAUSE OF COVID-19: http://dianalegal.com/WRONGFUL-TERMINATION-I-EMPLOYMENT-I-CORONAVIRUS-CALIFORNIA-EMPLOYEES-WRONGFULLY-TERMINATED-BECAUSE-OF-COVID-19/
• WRONGFUL TERMINATION I EMPLOYMENT I CORONAVIRUS – Legal Questions About Coronavirus and Employment: http://dianalegal.com/wrongful-termination-i-employment-i-coronavirus-legal-questions-about-coronavirus-and-employment/
• WRONGFUL TERMINATION I CORONAVIRUS – Employees Bringing An Action For Wrongful Termination Because Of The Coronavirus: http://dianalegal.com/wrongful-termination-i-coronavirus-employees-bringing-an-action-for-wrongful-termination-because-of-the-coronavirus/

Articles discussing Fiduciary Duties exclusively are listed below:

• FRAUD I BREACH OF FIDUCIARY DUTY – What Fiduciary Duties Are Owed? A Fiduciary Owes The Duty Of Undivided Loyalty. What Happens If A Fiduciary Breaches Their Duty Of Undivided Loyalty? http://dianalegal.com/fraud-i-breach-of-fiduciary-duty-what-fiduciary-duties-are-owed-a-fiduciary-owes-the-duty-of-undivided-loyalty-what-happens-if-a-fiduciary-breaches-their-duty-of-undivided-loyalty/
• FRAUD I BREACH OF FIDUCIARY DUTY – What Fiduciary Duties Are Owed? A Fiduciary Owes The Duty To Use Reasonable Care. What Happens If A Fiduciary Breaches Their Duty To Use Reasonable Care? http://dianalegal.com/fraud-i-breach-of-fiduciary-duty-what-fiduciary-duties-are-owed-a-fiduciary-owes-the-duty-to-use-reasonable-care-what-happens-if-a-fiduciary-breaches-their-duty-to-use-reasonable-care/
• FRAUD I BREACH OF FIDUCIARY DUTY – What Is A Fiduciary Duty? What Does A Breach Of Fiduciary Duty Mean? What Is A Fiduciary? http://dianalegal.com/fraud-i-breach-of-fiduciary-duty-what-is-a-fiduciary-duty-what-does-a-breach-of-fiduciary-duty-mean-what-is-a-fiduciary/

Causes of Action for Fraud and Breach of Fiduciary Duty in California: For other articles discussing the various causes of action for Fraud in California, links are included below:

• FRAUD – What Constitutes Fraud In California? What Does A Cause Of Action For Fraud By Intentional Misrepresentation In California Mean? http://dianalegal.com/fraud-what-constitutes-fraud-in-california-what-does-a-cause-of-action-for-fraud-by-intentional-misrepresentation-in-california-mean/
• FRAUD – WHAT CONSTITUTES FRAUD IN CALIFORNIA? WHAT DOES A CAUSE OF ACTION FOR FRAUD BY FALSE PROMISE IN CALIFORNIA MEAN?: http://dianalegal.com/FRAUD-WHAT-CONSTITUTES-FRAUD-IN-CALIFORNIA-WHAT-DOES-A-CAUSE-OF-ACTION-FOR-FRAUD-BY-FALSE-PROMISE-IN-CALIFORNIA-MEAN/

• FRAUD VIA FALSE PROMISE OR PROMISSORY FRAUD: http://dianalegal.com/fraud-legal-liability-for-fraud-civil-tort-for-fraud-via-false-promise-or-promissory-fraud/
• INTENTIONAL FRAUD AND DECEIT is embedded herein: http://dianalegal.com/fraud-legal-liability-for-fraud-civil-tort-for-intentional-fraud-and-deceit/
• CONVERSION OR BREACH OF FIDUCIARY DUTY http://dianalegal.com/fraud-legal-liability-for-fraud-civil-tort-for-conversion-or-breach-of-fiduciary-duty/

• FRAUDULENT CONCEALMENT OR CONCEALMENT FRAUD: http://dianalegal.com/fraud-legal-liability-for-fraud-civil-tort-for-fraudulent-concealment-or-concealment-fraud/
• FRAUD – What Constitutes Fraud In California? What Does A Cause Of Action For Fraud By Concealment In California Mean? http://dianalegal.com/fraud-what-constitutes-fraud-in-california-what-does-a-cause-of-action-for-fraud-by-concealment-in-california-mean/
• FRAUD – Legal Liability For Fraud – Civil Tort For Conversion Or Breach Of Fiduciary Duty: http://dianalegal.com/fraud-legal-liability-for-fraud-civil-tort-for-conversion-or-breach-of-fiduciary-duty/
• CONSTRUCTIVE FRAUD OR NEGLIGENT MISREPRESENTATION is embedded herein: http://dianalegal.com/fraud-legal-liability-for-fraud-civil-tort-for-constructive-fraud-or-negligent-misrepresentation/
• CORPORATE LAW – Corporations Claiming Personhood And Fiduciary Duties: http://dianalegal.com/corporate-law-corporations-claiming-personhood-and-fiduciary-duties/

For Fraud and Breach of Fiduciary Verdicts in California: Our articles discussing Fraud verdicts in California are included below:

• BREACH OF CONTRACT I FRAUD I VERDICT – Homeowner Recovers $1.63 Million In Damages Against Mortgage Fraud Broker In Fraud, Negligent Misrepresentation, Breach Of Fiduciary Duty Action: http://dianalegal.com/breach-of-contract-i-fraud-i-verdict-homeowner-recovers-1-63-million-in-damages-against-mortgage-fraud-broker-in-fraud-negligent-misrepresentation-breach-of-fiduciary-duty-action/
• BREACH OF CONTRACT I BUSINESS LAW – FRAUD DAMAGES IN BREACH OF CONTRACT – COMPANY FAILS TO PAY FORMER PRESIDENT’S SHARES, PRESIDENT SECURES VERDICT FOR $553,000: http://dianalegal.com/breach-of-contract-i-business-law-fraud-damages-in-breach-of-contract-company-fails-to-pay-former-presidents-shares-president-secures-verdict-for-553000/
• FRAUD I BREACH OF FIDUCIARY – Drew Brees Alleges Breach Of Fiduciary Duty Against SD Jeweler Vahid Moradi: http://dianalegal.com/fraud-i-breach-of-fiduciary-drew-brees-alleges-breach-of-fiduciary-duty-against-sd-jeweler-vahid-moradi/
• FRAUD I BREACH OF FIDUCIARY – Jury awards Brees $6 million in Jewelry Fraud Lawsuit: http://dianalegal.com/fraud-i-breach-of-fiduciary-jury-awards-brees-6-million-in-jewelry-fraud-lawsuit/
• BREACH OF CONTRACT I FRAUD I VERDICT – Homeowner Recovers $1.63 Million In Damages Against Mortgage Fraud Broker In Fraud, Negligent Misrepresentation, Breach Of Fiduciary Duty Action: http://dianalegal.com/breach-of-contract-i-fraud-i-verdict-homeowner-recovers-1-63-million-in-damages-against-mortgage-fraud-broker-in-fraud-negligent-misrepresentation-breach-of-fiduciary-duty-action/
• FRAUD – Legal Liability for Fraud – Civil Tort for Conversion or Breach of Fiduciary Duty: http://dianalegal.com/fraud-legal-liability-for-fraud-civil-tort-for-conversion-or-breach-of-fiduciary-duty/

Fraud Damages: Our articles discussing Fraud damages in California are included below:

• FRAUD I DAMAGES I CIVIL LITIGATION – What Are Punitive Damages? http://dianalegal.com/fraud-i-damages-i-civil-litigation-what-are-punitive-damages/
• FRAUD I DAMAGES I CIVIL LITIGATION – Punitive Damages Vs. Compensatory Damages: http://dianalegal.com/fraud-i-damages-i-civil-litigation-punitive-damages-vs-compensatory-damages/

Recovery from the Victims Of Corporate Fraud Compensation Fund of California: For articles discussing damages:

• BUSINESS FRAUD I CORPORATE FRAUD – Payment From The Victims Of Corporate Fraud – VCFCF: Victims Of Corporate Fraud Compensation Fund: http://dianalegal.com/business-fraud-i-corporate-fraud-payment-from-the-victims-of-corporate-fraud-vcfcf-victims-of-corporate-fraud-compensation-fund/
• BUSINESS FRAUD I CORPORATE FRAUD I DAMAGES – Compensation For “Aggrieved Person” Who Has Obtained A “Final Judgment” Against A Corporation Based Upon The Corporation’s Fraud, Misrepresentation Or Deceit – VCFCF: Victims Of Corporate Fraud Compensation Fund: http://dianalegal.com/business-fraud-i-corporate-fraud-i-damages-compensation-for-aggrieved-person-who-has-obtained-a-final-judgment-against-a-corporation-based-upon-the-corpor/

If you or someone you know has fallen victim to a Coronavirus scam or Covid-19 fraud we encourage you to call our offices today at 619-432-5145 for a free consultation with one of our Fraud Attorneys and Coronavirus Lawyers.