Coronavirus In RI: East Providence Police Warn Of Scams

EAST PROVIDENCE, RI —East Providence police are warning of a serious of scams that have been reported across the state related to the new coronavirus health emergency. Scams range from fake charities to fake testing kits to deception related to the federal stimulus package.

East Providence police said the scams are similar to ones that have targeted grandparents and disabled citizens where vulnerable residents are contacted unsolicited and asked for money to help relatives in a time of need. Police said the coronavirus-related scams include those they attempt to steal both money and identification materials through solicitations to purchase COVID-19 tests, medical equipment and prepaid medical care. There are also scams involving those pretending to be from the Internal Revenue Service asking for personal or banking information in order to facilitate a stimulus payment.

No one from the IRS will ever contact via phone call.

Those who believe they may have been the victim of a scam are asked to contact East Providence police at 401-435-7600 or your local police department. They are also urged to file a complaint with the National Center for Disaster Fund at 1-866-720-5721 or www.IC3.gov.

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