The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has reported yet another attempt by scammers to steal consumers’ personal information. This scam comes in the form of an email or text asking you to take a brief survey regarding your experience with the COVID-19 vaccine.
What to look for
Survey participants are promised a free reward with a minimum value of $90. The phony-promised prize also comes with a catch. Not only will no prize be delivered, but victims of this scheme have been asked to pre-pay for the shipping charges, a common scammer technique.
The FTC warns that clicking on the links in the email or text may deploy malware on your device. If you enter your personal information in the bogus survey, scammers can use your information for identity theft purposes.
The FTC warns consumers to continue to be on the lookout for scams of this time. Remember:
- Don’t give your bank account, credit card, or personal information to someone who contacts you out of the blue.
- You can filter unwanted text messages on your phone, through your wireless provider, or with a call-blocking app.
- If you get an email or text that asks for your personal information and you think it could be a scam, tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
To learn more about COVID-related frauds and scams, visit ftc.gov/coronavirus/scams.
