U.S. Attorney urges the public to report suspected COVID-19 fraud | U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Montana
Summary
A press release of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Montana of Friday, March 20, 2020. U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme urged the public to report suspected fraud related to COVID-19 to the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF). The release announces the appointment of an Assistant U.S. Attorney as Coronavirus Fraud Coordinator and 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 District of Montana FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, March 20, 2020 U.S. Attorney urges the public to report suspected COVID-19 fraud Assistant U.S. Attorney Appointed as Coronavirus Fraud Coordinator BILLINGS – U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme 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. “Sadly, there are people trying to take advantage of others during this time of uncertainty when most Montanans are thinking of ways to help. Please be on guard for potential frauds or scams against you and your neighbors and report any suspicious activity,” U.S. Attorney Alme said. 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. In a memorandum to U.S. Attorneys issued March 19, Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen also 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 District of Montana’s Coronavirus Fraud Coordinator is Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Kakuk. The NCDF 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. To find more about Department of Justice resources and information, please visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus . ### Topic(s): Disaster Fraud Component(s): USAO - Montana Contact: Clair Johnson Howard Public Information Officer 406-247-4623 Updated March 20, 2020
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