Authorities warn the public against scam and cons

With the U.S. Department of Justice shutting down a Texas-based website that claimed to sell a COVID-19 cure, Sheriff Will Holt has provided an update on various scams and con games in Stephens County regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

“These types of scams and con games can be as creative as the thieves’ human imagination allows," Sheriff Holt said. "With this in mind, we cannot list or predict every type of example that will occur. What each citizen needs to know is that nothing is free in life, not a cure for the virus, not a mask for preventing contraction to the virus, and there is no such thing as free money."

The actions of the Justice Department were the first enforcements against COVID-19 fraud. According to a DOJ press release, "the operators of the website “coronavirusmedicalkit.com” were engaging in a wire fraud scheme seeking to profit from the confusion and widespread fear surrounding COVID-19."

The federal court has issued temporary restraining orders against websites offering fraudulent COVID-19 vaccines.

"If a solicitation gives you a half-second feeling that it is too good to be true or that it is suspicious, then it probably is," Sheriff Holt said. "Listen to that quick instinct and do not get brow-beat into giving your personal information. Do NOT give it through text, email, or over the phone. No level of American government gives money away or asks for your personal information via text, phone call, or email. It simply does NOT happen that way."