Beware Coronavirus Phone Scam: County Sheriff

PUTNAM COUNTY, NY — Recently, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office became aware of a robocall stating that a company will mail you a COVID-19 test kit if you provide your social security number. The Putnam County Health Department confirmed that there are currently no FDA-approved COVID-19 tests available through the mail.

That's just one of several new coronavirus frauds the Federal Trade Commission reports are in circulation. Scammers are out in force as the number of confirmed cases hits 10,755 in the United States, 4,152 of them in New York as of Thursday morning.

Here are some tips to help you keep the scammers at bay:

• Don’t click on links from sources you don’t know. They could download viruses onto your computer or device.
• Watch for emails claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or experts saying they have information about the virus. For the most up-to-date information about the new coronavirus, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization, or call the New York State hotline 24/7 at 1-888-364-3065.
• Ignore online offers for vaccinations. There currently are no vaccines, pills, potions, lotions, lozenges or other prescription or over-the-counter products available to treat or cure the new coronavirus (COVID-19) — online or in stores.
• Do your homework when it comes to donations, whether through charities or crowdfunding sites. Don’t let anyone rush you into making a donation. If someone wants donations in cash, by gift card, or by wiring money, don’t do it.
• Do not provide your social security number to a stranger on the phone or email.

Report any such fraud to your local police department. If you come across any suspicious claims, report them to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.

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New York Attorney General Letitia James ordered two companies March 11 to immediately cease and desist selling and marketing products as a treatment or cure for the new coronavirus.

The first notice was sent to The Silver Edge company, which claims its Micro-Particle Colloidal Silver Generator "beats coronavirus" and that there is "clinical documentation" to prove it.

The second notice was sent to Dr. Sherrill Sellman, who has been marketing colloidal silver products as a cure for coronavirus and selling them on her website and on the "Jim Bakker Show."

"Falsely marketing products as a treatment for a serious disease and charging steep prices is deeply unethical and unlawful," James said in her announcement. "We will continue to go after any company that attempts to deceive the public, especially during this public health crisis."
James recently ordered the "Jim Bakker Show" to stop marketing Sellman's Silver Solution products as a treatment for coronavirus after claiming on television that they were proven to treat strains of the virus.

And the Micro-Particle Colloidal Silver Generator — which retails for $249.95 — was then sold out, suggesting that many individuals might believe the company's deceptive marketing, authorities said.

Beyond this fraud, both companies also tout the use of colloidal silver as the main ingredient in their products. According to the National Institutes of Health, colloidal silver can actually be dangerous to a person's health, and the FDA has warned that colloidal silver is not safe or effective for treating any disease or condition. Countless scientific studies have also determined that there is no evidence to support the use of colloidal silver as a treatment for any disease or condition.

In addition to ordering the companies to immediately cease and desist these activities, the Office of the Attorney General also ordered Sellman to immediately affix a disclaimer on her website to make clear that her products have not been evaluated by the FDA and that none of her products are intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

New Yorkers can call the state hotline at 888-364-3065, where experts can answer questions regarding the new coronavirus. In addition, the health department has a dedicated website that was created as a resource with updated information for New Yorkers.

Coronavirus in New York and beyond:

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• Amazon Warehouse Worker In Queens Contracts Coronavirus: Report
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• NY Coronavirus: 3/4 Workforce Stay Home; Mortgage Payments Waived
• Coronavirus Pains America's Workers: Jobless Claims Surge By 70K