SARASOTA – Criminals are preying on people during this vulnerable time in our nation. And the FBI has a warning for the Suncoast.
In a time when people are scared and looking for ways to protect their families, criminals see an opportunity to attack.
“People are really taking advantage of people’s fears and uncertainties, and kind of jump on that,” white-collar crime investigator, Special Agent Ric Volp, said.
Special Agent Volp, says the FBI is taking priority on COVID-19 cases; pursuing them more aggressively.
“The investigations could take months or even years, but with the COVID-19 ones,” Special Agent Volp said. “We’re trying to get on those immediately and within days or weeks.”
The FBI has already arrested people for coronavirus-related cases.
Health is a major priority during this time, and people are looking for medical equipment and attention. So, criminal opportunists are making fraudulent test kits.
“People that are marketing test kits, more bulk production, they might not be up to standard or they not be official ones,” Special Agent Volp said.
Special Agent Volp says at-home test kits have not been approved.
“Make sure you’re going through official testing spots, like the drive-thru testing sites or your doctor or your hospital,” Special Agent Volp said.
The FBI also reports seeing an uptick in child predators. So they’re warning parents of exploitation, as kids at home spend more time online.
Child Protection Center executive director, Doug Staley, says parents should keep an eye on where their kids browse.
“Make sure you know what your kids are doing online, stay connected, communicate, put safeguards in place,” Staley said.
Work-from-home fraud and investment frauds are other things to look out for. As the economy struggles and unemployment numbers increase, people are looking for different ways to get money. The FBI advises against investing in a COVID-19 cure or treatment.
“Be skeptical of anything that sounds too good to be true or the hidden secret to anything just like any other fraud,” Special Agent Volp said.
Special Agent Volp says the best way to avoid becoming a victim in any way is to listen to official word put out by the CDC or the government.
“The research is done by laboratories with a lot of degrees and a lot of knowledge, and those are the likely sources for any sort of remedy, or prevention or treatment,” Special Agent Volp said.
If you think you are the victim of a crime or see something suspicious, the FBI encourages you to report it right away at https://tips.fbi.gov/ or you can call the FBI’s Tampa office at (813) 253-1000.