The Association of Banks of Puerto Rico (ABPR) urged citizens to stay informed and alert to the various fraud schemes that have arisen due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition, the entity emphasized the importance of educating yourself on how to properly manage these schemes to protect your personal and financial information.
The scammers have taken advantage of the fear related to COVID-19 to carry out different deceptive schemes. In this situation, Zoimé Alvarez Rubio, executive vice president of the Association of Banks of Puerto Rico, expressed that “it is important that citizens know how to identify when they receive communications or approaches of this nature. Above all, that they can remain calm and do not act quickly. ”
Álvarez Rubio added that “commercial banks on the Island have developed content on their social networks to guide their clients on these new modalities so that they can be vigilant.”
Some recommendations to avoid becoming a victim of the most common fraud schemes are:
- Stay alert to schemes phishing. This may be through emails, text messages, calls and websites fraudsters seeking to trick users into sharing private account information. Don’t click links or open attachments or screens pop up from sources you don’t know, and never give your password, account number or PIN to anyone.
- Ignore the offers you receive about vaccines, treatment and cures for COVID-19. If medical advances arise, you can be sure that these will not be reported by emails unsolicited or advertisements on-line.
- Look for information about COVID-19 in official sources. Visit the websites from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization and the corresponding government entities for updated information.
- If you make purchases on-lineMake sure you know who or where you shop from. Many sellers on-line They claim to have cleaning, health, and medical supplies available, but the reality is they don’t.
- make research before making a donation. Exercise caution with respect to any business, charity, or individual requesting payments related to COVID-19, whether in cash, transfer, gift card, or mail.
- Keep your computer and gadgets up to date. Having the updated versions of the security programs, search engine and operating system is the best defense against viruses and other threats. on-line. Activate updates automatic so you can have them when they go out.
In addition, the Association of Banks recommended:
- Recognize and avoid links websites false. These can download viruses to your computer or devices. Always check the URL you are directed to. Fraudulent links often have small changes to the URL. For example: www.ABC-Bank.com versus ABC_BANK.com
- Stay alert for suspicious phone calls where scammers pose as bank representatives to request financial or personal information. It is also important to be alert to calls from alleged doctors and hospital personnel who contact citizens to indicate that they have treated a friend or family member for COVID-19 and demand payment for their treatment, among others.
- On incentive incentives and / or economic relief, It is important to be alert and use the official digital platforms of government agencies to access these incentives.
- Before investing or contributing to any entity, remember that there is great potential for fraud at this time. Exercise caution with respect to any company or organization that claims to have the ability to prevent, detect, or cure coronavirus.
- Remember that the safest place to keep your money is the bank. You are physically safe and insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
- Help others by reporting fraud schemes related to the coronavirus. Contact your bank to report suspicious schemes. You can also access updated information on this subject on our electronic page www.abpr.com, at the Federal Trade Commission dedicated to COVID-19 ftc.gov/coronavirus, at the Federal Treasury Department also dedicated to the subject https: // home.treasury.gov/services/report-fraud-waste-and-abuse/covid-19-scams and at Interpol www.interpol.int.
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