Disaster Fraud

Fraudsters will use virtually every option available to get unauthorized access to relevant and important data and information. Hence, disaster fraud is quickly gaining grounds in this current pandemic of Corvid-19. It is therefore important for individuals and businesses to take steps to address coronavirus-related scams. According to Zirkle (2020), the following types of scams are on the rise:

• Email and text phishing scams
• Third-party seller and buyer scams on legitimate online retail websites
• Fundraising scams by fake charities soliciting donations and alleging to be engaged in fighting the pandemic
• Fake websites advertising fraudulent (dangerous) treatment products

Working from home therefore requires extra attention and strict adherence to business and information systems security protocols. Confidentiality is still key. Be careful the websites you visit as some have been set up to infect victims’ computers with malware. Stay safe, do not break these protocols and together, we will overcome!

Reference

Zirkle, Jason (2020). ACFE. Coronavirus fraudsters add to the anxiety and misery. Retrieved from https://go.acfe.com/vh10wLflLaIr80s1OZY0000C00H00