Boulder County DA Warns Of Coronavirus Scams

Scam artists are exploiting public concern amid the spread of the new coronavirus, Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty said. The scammers are preying on anxiety and fear.

The DA's office has released the following list of scams:

• Fake websites selling unproven treatments, prevention measures, and vaccines, or that sell cleaning and disinfecting products at exorbitant prices
• Calls, text messages, emails and social media posts offering vaccinations, or to entice the public to buy bogus products or virus test kits
• Information in messages or posts appearing to come from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or other experts, claiming to have new information about the virus
• Investment schemes claiming that a new product or service can prevent, detect, or cure coronavirus, and that the stock of the company producing it will dramatically increase as a result
• Phony efforts to collect donations for victims and hard-hit areas around the globe.

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The Community Protection Division of the District Attorney’s Office offers the following suggestions to help prevent losing money or personal information to scam artists:

• Ignore offers for medications that promise treatment, cures, or prevention of coronavirus: according to the US Food and Drug Administration, there are currently NO drugs or vaccines approved to treat or prevent the virus.
• Shop wisely online at websites of trusted sellers, and compare prices before buying.
• Visit reliable sources for the most up-to-date information about the virus, such as Boulder County Public Health or the CDC.
• Do not click on links in unsolicited emails, or from sources you don’t know: these can lead to fake websites or even steal personal information from your computer.
• Do your homework before investing or donating: verify that a charitable organization is legitimate by contacting the Colorado Secretary of State’s office or CPD. Research investment opportunities carefully, especially if these promote coronavirus prevention measures, treatments or cures.

To report a scam, call the Community Protection Division at 303-441-3700 or email daconsumer@bouldercounty.org.

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