Officials Remind Residents To Be Aware Of Price-Gouging, Scams During Pandemic

Hays County Courthouse, San Marcos, TX – The Texas Attorney General’s Office is on the lookout for price-gouging and the Federal Trade Commission wants to help residents make the wise choice when people call, text, or email you with offers of money from the government or an agency.

There are many scams already being reported in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.

While governments have discussed offering compensation to those affected, there are no government programs currently in effect. Anyone who tells a resident they can get them the money now is a scammer.

As always, don’t click on links or attachments in emails or texts unless a resident is certain that they are from a valid source and they are expecting that email.

Many scam emails look very much like those from legitimate people and businesses.

There is one scam email going around right now that pretends to be from WHO (the World Health Organization). It is from a scam operation that wants money and personal information.

Remember that the government will never ask someone for fees upfront, nor for their credit/debit card, bank account number, gift cards, or Social Security Number. Be aware of scams offering coronavirus advice.

The best current preventions of social distancing, frequent cleaning, and proper hand-washing, etc., have been widely disseminated, and there are no cures, vaccinations, or other credible preventions available at this time.

More information on scams and how to spot them is at https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/03/checks-government.

Price gouging is selling or leasing necessary items at an exorbitant or excessive price. Some examples include fuel, food, medicine, lodging, building materials, construction tools, etc.

Visit https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection/disaster-and-emergency-scams/how-spot-and-report-price-gouging to learn all the details or make a report of price gouging, or call 1-800-621-0508 to report it.