admin 
We always appreciate ingenuity and intelligent responses to our world’s crises. The current crisis is no exception. Families are uniting via conference calls, Zoom, Skype, and other social media. Classes and even concerts are being offered the same way. These are wonderful offerings to break isolation, learn something new, share a moment of collective joy.
What also arises are efforts to exploit people, to extract money from people with big hearts wanting to help others. New cottage industries of scams have arisen, and it can catch even the most computer and social media savvy people off guard. Rather than putting energies to good, too many spend that effort trying to maximize their own benefits at the cost of your well being.
Through our allies at Consumer Action, we are posting an invitation for a Webinar you might find useful. There are many scams that have appeared along with the Coronavirus. This webinar will help people wade through what is real and what is fraudulent to avoid harm in already stressful times.
Dear Community Partner,It’s the same old story, but this time it has a scary twist. Whenever disaster hits, greedy scammers and fraudsters begin to pounce on unsuspecting victims. Even during these strange times, nothing has changed. As the coronavirus spreads throughout our communities, disrupting our way of life and instilling fear among us, we must remain vigilant. If not, enterprising criminals will take advantage of that fear to perpetrate consumer fraud.
Scammers are expert at shifting tactics and changing their message to catch consumers off guard. They are using phone, text, mail, email and fraudulent websites to tout everything from fake COVID-19 test kits to miracle cures. Their schemes also take advantage of the fact that medical supplies and equipment for combatting the virus, along with basic living essentials, have become difficult or nearly impossible to obtain.
On Wednesday, July 15, Consumer Action will host an informative “COVID-19 Scams and Healthcare Fraud” webinar to address fraud that seeks to exploit consumer confusion and fear in the coronavirus era. The webinar will be led by Micki Nozaki, director of the Senior Medicare Patrol project at California Health Advocates.
The webinar will cover:
- Scams that are flourishing during the COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19-related investment scams
- How charitable giving scams work
- Healthcare scams and fraud
- Consumer warnings and safety tips
- How to complain
Register to participate:
Wednesday, July 15, at 10:00 a.m. PDT/ 11:00 a.m. MDT/ 12:00 p.m. CDT/ 1:00 p.m. EDT
Register here
There will be a live encore presentation the same day, at 1:00 p.m. PDT/ 2:00 p.m. MDT/ 3:00 p.m. CDT/ 4:00 p.m. EDT.
Register here
Tweet chat: You’re invited to join us on Twitter (follow us @consumeraction) for a live chat during the webinar. Follow the hashtag #CAWebinars to participate.
If you have any questions, please contact Linda Williams at linda.williams@consumer-action.org or 800-999-7981, Ext. 766. We look forward to your participation.
We at California Council of Churches hope this helps. Please feel free to share with your congregations, family, friends.
Thank you.