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News Release 2020-31: Alert: Scammers Taking Advantage of Coronavirus Fears (Hawaii Attorney General and Office of Consumer Protection, March 16, 2020)

Summary

Hawaii Attorney General Clare E. Connors and Office of Consumer Protection Executive Director Stephen Levins urged the public to beware of and report COVID-19 scams and price gouging in News Release 2020-31, dated March 16, 2020. The release warns of charity scam websites, bogus medical treatments claiming to cure or prevent COVID-19, fraudulent emails claiming to be from the CDC and "get rich quick" investment schemes, and says no vaccines, pills or other products were available to treat or cure the disease. It advises against donations in cash, by gift card or by money wire. Levins says price gouging "will not be tolerated in the State of Hawaii" and that all reports are being fully investigated, with complaints taken by the Office of Consumer Protection. The release also asks the public not to hoard supplies.

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Full text

                                 DAVID Y. IGE
                                 GOVERNOR

                            CLARE E. CONNORS
                            ATTORNEY GENERAL

                       STEPHEN H. LEVINS
       EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF CONSUMER PROTECTION


For Immediate Release                                News Release 2020-31
March 16, 2020

  ALERT: SCAMMERS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF CORONAVIRUS FEARS

HONOLULU – Hawaii Attorney General Clare E. Connors and Hawaii Office of
Consumer Protection Executive Director Stephen Levins are urging the Hawaii
public to beware of, and report, scams and price gouging related to the ongoing
COVID-19 pandemic.

“The public has to be extra cautious of those who would take advantage of our
community in a crisis situation,” said AG Connors.” “We advise everyone to be
vigilant, especially as we all work to ensure that everyone has access to
necessities.”

Hawaii consumers should be vigilant as scammers attempt to take advantage of
the public’s fear of the health situation by setting up charity scam websites,
offering bogus medical treatment claiming to cure or prevent COVID-19, and
disseminating misinformation about the disease through social media, text
messages, and emails.

      Watch for fraudulent emails claiming to be from the Centers for Disease
       Control and Prevention (CDC) or experts saying they have information
       about the virus. Verify information through trusted government websites
       such as www.ftc.gov, www.cdc.gov, health.hawaii.gov, www.who.int, etc.

      Do not click on links from sources you do not know as doing so may lead
       to computer viruses or phishing attempts.
      Ignore offers of goods or services for COVID-19. There currently are no
       vaccines, pills, potions, lotions, lozenges or other prescription or over-the-
       counter products available to treat or cure COVID-19. Scammers may still
       offer fake vaccines and other bogus medical products claiming to offer
       “cures” for the virus. They may also offer “get rich quick” investment
       schemes for unproven virus treatments.

      Beware of fundraising solicitations and do not rush into making donations
       whether through charities or crowdfunding sites. You should never feel
       rushed or pressured to donate, and never make donations in cash, by gift
       card, or by money wire. Be sure to do your due diligence to verify the
       charity’s legitimacy.

Price gouging refers to sellers trying to take unfair advantage of consumers
during an emergency or disaster by greatly increasing prices for essential
consumer goods and services.

“Price gouging will not be tolerated in the State of Hawaii,” said Stephen Levins.
“All reports of price gouging are being fully investigated and anyone found to
have engaged in the practice will be prosecuted. We’re all in this together and no
one should be taking advantage of our community during these challenging
times.”

Even though the Office of Consumer Protection does not represent individuals, it
may, on behalf of the public, investigate or prosecute someone who has engaged
in price gouging. Anyone who believes that they have been the victim of price
gouging, or who has information regarding potential price gouging, is encouraged
to immediately file a complaint with the OCP by calling (808) 587-4272 or online
at https://cca.hawaii.gov/ocp/consumer-complaint/.

Finally, the public is urged not to hoard materials and supplies. Much of the
hoarding is being driven by false rumors. Please shop for your weekly needs
and leave items for other who need to do the same.

                                        ###

For more information, contact:

Krishna F. Jayaram
Special Assistant to the Attorney General
(808) 586-1284
Email: atg.pio@hawaii.gov
Web: http://ag.hawaii.gov
Twitter: @ATGHIgov
William Nhieu
Communications Officer
Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Phone: (808) 586-7582 • Cell: (808) 389-2788
Email: wnhieu@dcca.hawaii.gov
Web: http://cca.hawaii.gov

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