Scammers have taken advantage of the fear and uncertainty surrounding COVID-19. For accurate U-M information about COVID-19, see U-M Health Response.
The Safe Computing website provides detailed information about how to spot Phishing & Scams as well as how to report them and what to do if you get caught.
COVID 19 Scam Information
- The Federal Trade Commission's website includes up-to-date information about Coronavirus Scams.
- The U.S. Secret Service provides information on scams related to the virus.
- Emails and social media postings have claimed to be from experts. For the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Phishing and Scams Targeting U-M
- Misinformation emails specific to U-M, including email impersonating faculty or staff, were reported. An example of this type of email can be found in a phishing alert about vaccine misinformation scams.
- U-M has been the target of COVID-related phishing email or scams that used stolen U-M graphics or branding, and/or impersonate well-known members of the U-M community. An example of a UM-specific phishing email paired with a fake login site can be seen here.
Watch out for Identity Theft
- Don't share your vaccine card on social media.
- Watch out for calls, texts or emails—supposedly from government agencies—asking you to click a link, pay a fee, or "confirm" personal data like your Social Security number, e.g. to steal a check or other economic relief payment. Another common con comes via social media, in scam Facebook messages that promise to get you "COVID-19 relief grants."