U.S. Attorney Urges Public to Report Suspected COVID-19 Fraud | U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Iowa
Summary
A press release of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa of Tuesday, March 24, 2020. United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum urged the public to report suspected fraud related to COVID-19 to the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF). The release notes that Attorney General William Barr directed U.S. Attorneys to prioritize such cases.
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You are here Justice News Department of Justice U.S. Attorney’s Office Southern District of Iowa FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, March 24, 2020 U.S. Attorney Urges Public to Report Suspected COVID-19 Fraud DES MOINES, Iowa – United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum of the Southern District of Iowa today urged the public to report suspected fraud schemes related to COVID-19 (the Coronavirus) by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline (1-866-720-5721) or to the NCDF e-mail address 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 NCDF Hotline can receive and enter complaints into a centralized system that can be accessed by all U.S. Attorneys, as well as Justice Department litigating and law enforcement components to identify, investigate and prosecute fraud schemes. The NCDF coordinates complaints with 16 additional federal law enforcement agencies, as well as state Attorneys General and local authorities. In a memorandum to U.S. Attorneys issued March 19, Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen directed each U.S. Attorney to appoint a Coronavirus Fraud Coordinator to serve as the legal counsel for the federal judicial district on matters relating to the Coronavirus, direct the prosecution of Coronavirus-related crimes, and to conduct outreach and awareness activities. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office has appointed a coronavirus coordinator, and we are working with Attorney General Tom Miller, County Attorneys such as John Sarcone, and others across Iowa to identify cases of fraud and abuse,” said U.S. Attorney Krickbaum. “If anyone uses this crisis to exploit others and line their own pockets, we will hold them accountable.” 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 your devices until payment is received. • Seeking donations fraudulently for illegitimate or non-existent charitable organizations. • Medical providers obtaining patient information for COVID-19 testing and then using that information to fraudulently bill for other tests and procedures. Topic(s): Coronavirus Community Outreach Consumer Protection Component(s): USAO - Iowa, Southern Contact: Rachel J. Scherle 515-473-9300 USAIAS-PAO@usdoj.gov Updated March 24, 2020
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