ALBANY — United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith urged the public to report suspected fraud schemes related to COVID-19 by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud hotline at 1-866-720-5721 or by emailing disaster@leo.gov.

In coordination with the Department of Justice, Attorney General William Barr has directed U.S. Attorneys to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of coronavirus fraud schemes. 

“The full law enforcement resources of the United States will be employed to investigate and prosecute fraud committed during this time of national crisis,” said Jaquith in a statement. 

Some examples of these schemes include:

— Individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19 online and engaging in other forms of fraud;

— Phishing emails from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;

— Malicious websites and apps that appear to share coronavirus-related information to gain and lock access to devices until payment is received.;Seeking donations fraudulently for illegitimate or non-existent charitable organizations; and

— Medical providers obtaining patient information for COVID-19 testing and then using that information to fraudulently bill for other tests and procedures.

The Northern District of New York Coronavirus Fraud Coordinator is Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Rosenthal.