Monday, February 1, 2021

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) would like to warn the public about potentially fraudulent activity in the District of Columbia related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

During this public health emergency, scammers have taken an opportunity to defraud citizens in various ways. MPD has recently been notified of individuals in the District selling “extra” COVID-19 vaccinations. If you receive any messages or calls about the private sale of a vaccine, report this as fraudulent activity. Members of the public should only get a vaccine through scheduled appointments at hospitals, clinics, pharmacies and doctors’ offices. 

In effort to keep the community safe, MPD asks the public to avoid the following COVID-19 related scams:

• Individuals offering to sell treatment for COVID-19, such as cures, vaccines, and insurance.

• Online sales of high demand medical supplies such as surgical masks.

• Telephone calls or emails demanding funds for COVID-19 treatment or other medical services.

• Solicitation of donations for those affected by COVID-19.

• Phishing telephone calls, text messages, or emails from national and global health authorities asking to provide personal and/or financial information.

• Unofficial COVID-19 apps or downloads that can potentially compromise users’ devices and personal information with malware.

• Investments claiming to prevent, detect, or cure COVID-19.

The Department takes matters such as this seriously and will hold such offenders accountable for their actions.

If you have been a victim or have knowledge of a suspected Coronavirus fraud or scams in Washington, D.C., please contact the Metropolitan Police Department Financial and Cyber Crimes Unit at 202-727-4159 or mpd.fraud-unit@dc.gov.

 For more information and resources about COVID-19, please visit coronavirus.dc.gov