Related Content
Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- U.S. Attorney John C. Milhiser and Special Agent in Charge of the IRS-Criminal Investigation Chicago Field Office, Kathy A. Enstrom, are reminding the public to beware of possible scams related to economic impact payments made during the COVID-19 pandemic and continuing efforts to defraud the public.
Not only is there fraud related to the economic impact payments, but also, the Department of Justice is working in a cooperative effort with a number of private-sector companies, including internet domain providers and registrars. The effort has already disrupted hundreds of fraudulent websites that use domain names that include “covid19” or “coronavirus” to attract traffic to the fake site. In some cases, the fake sites purport to be run by or affiliated with public health organizations or agencies.
To date, the Department’s cooperative effort has disrupted:
“The public must remain alert and vigilant to the unscrupulous methods scammers use,” stated U.S. Attorney John C. Milhiser. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to collaborate with federal, state and local law enforcement and private sector partners to combat online COVID-19 related crime. We are not only learning to navigate the health uncertainties of this pandemic, but also economic hardships that are exploited in these evolving online threats.”
“In today’s economic environment and unprecedented challenges with the COVID-19 crisis, it is more important than ever that the American people know that IRS-CI is on their side,” said Special Agent in Charge Kathy A. Enstrom, IRS Criminal Investigation Chicago Field Office. “Rest assured, IRS-CI and the Department of Justice will uncover, investigate, and prosecute allegations of fraud committed by fraudsters who seek to profit from and deceive the American taxpayer. The IRS will use all its investigative tools to actively pursue those who prey upon individuals to dismantle these types of illicit scams and bring the criminals to justice.”
The following tips can help protect individuals and businesses from being victimized by cyber scammers.
If you think you are a victim of a fraud or attempted fraud involving COVID-19, call the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 1-866-720-5721 or email at disaster@leo.gov.
If it is a cyber-scam, submit your complaint through https://www.ic3.gov.To find more about Department of Justice resources and information, please visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years