Scam artists are pretending to be COVID-19 contact tracers in order to trick people in divulging their private personal information such as social security numbers or financial or health insurance information, San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe warned today.
San Mateo County Public Health use contact tracers to identify people who may have been in contact with an individual infected with COVID-19. Legitimate calls likely show the caller ID as “California COVID Team,” the county said.
While the county encourages residents to cooperate with legitimate contact tracers, they should be wary of impersonators. Know that legitimate contract tracers will only ask you about your medical symptoms and the people with whom you have been in contact, information that will remain confidential. They will never ask for your social security number, financial or health insurance information. So if anyone asks for that kind of information, it’s a scam.
Report COVID-19 related scams to the District Attorney’s Office at (650) 363-4651 or contact your local police department.
Photo: San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe
