The rapid onset of the COVID-19 pandemic combined with the ever-evolving virus variants has created havoc in all aspects of our business and personal lives. The Delta Variant that arose in 2021 threw medical experts for another twist in this fight to manage the virus. Then came the Omicron variant. To make matters worse, the virus itself isn’t the only element invading our lives. Fraudsters have found a whole new avenue to perpetrate schemes and scams.

The Federal Trade Commission has reported that in the United States from January 1, 2020 through December 2021 there have been over 285K covid fraud reports totaling $637M in losses with the median loss being $400. Scams have run the spectrum from online shopping, government imposters and medical testing schemes.

Seniors reported the largest losses related to coronavirus scams. The median loss for those in their 80’s was $1000. Criminals have stolen money via a number of scams: those related to stimulus checks, unemployment benefits, Covid vaccines, fake virus cures and charities, for example. The top complaint categories relate to travel and vacations, online shopping and bogus text messages.

These are just a few of the most prominent schemes that have arisen. During this session, we delve into the intricacies of the COVID-19 pandemic and how it is impacting the world of fraud.