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The Iowa Department of Public Safety is warning the public about cybercriminal activity amid COVID-19 news.

With the spread of COVID-19 on the minds of Iowans, the Iowa Department of Public Safety is warning that cybercriminals will look to use the news of the virus to take advantage of people.

“Cybercriminals are quick to exploit concerns surrounding public health by luring individuals into sharing sensitive information,” the DPS said in a statement.

According to the DPS, cybercriminals may attempt to access personal information by distributing malicious email attachments and providing links to fake or fraudulent websites for protective products and services, or soliciting donations to fraudulent charities or causes.

The DPS is warning citizens to use caution online if a message related to COVID-19 is received.

Any emails with a COVID-19-related subject line, attachment, hyperlink, social media pleas, texts or phone calls, should be reviewed carefully before making any commitments.

The DPS recommends the following:

• Keep personal information out of emails. Do not reveal personal or financial information in an email, and do not respond to email solicitations for this information.

• Use extreme caution with email attachments. Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited emails even if they appear to be sent by someone you know or from a source you may be inclined to trust. Be wary of email attachments.

• Access only trusted national online medical resources. Check web addresses to ensure you are visiting legitimate government websites for the most current, fact-based information about COVID-19 in the U.S.

Be wary of emails appearing to be generated from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or experts claiming to have helpful information related to the virus. Proactively visit the official CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov and the coalition of World Health Organization websites that can be accessed at https://www.who.int.

• Visit official state of Iowa agency websites and social media accounts. The Iowa Department of Public Health is the leading source for Iowa guidelines, testing and reported case-related information. Gov. Kim Reynolds’ office is providing daily statewide coronavirus status updates. The Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management coordinates the state of Iowa’s collaborative response to COVID-19. The Iowa Attorney General’s Office cautions Iowans about coronavirus-related price gouging and fraud with an important set of alerts and recommendations. The Iowa Department on Aging is sharing recommendations and resources for protecting yourself and loved ones in long-term care facilities.

• Verify a charity’s authenticity before making donations. Review the Federal Trade Commission’s page on Charity Scams for more information.

• Stay abreast of U.S. cyber threats to mitigate business risk.

Scams

To report if you’ve been scammed:

Office of the Attorney General of Iowa

Consumer Protection Division

Hoover State Office Building

1305 E. Walnut St.

Des Moines, IA 50319-0106

Email: consumer@ag.iowa.gov

Phones: 515-281-5926 or 888-777-4590 (outside of the Des Moines metro area)

Fax: 515-281-6771

Website: www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov

To report identity theft:

Iowa Department of Revenue

1305 E Walnut St. Fourth Floor, 0107

Des Moines, IA 50319

Phone: 515-281-3114

Website Report Form: https://tax.iowa.gov/report-fraud-and-identity-theft

To report internet crimes against children:

Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation

Cyber-Crime Unit

Iowa ICAC Task Force

2006 S. Ankeny Blvd.

Building 3-W

Ankeny, IA 50023

Phone: 515-965-7400

Email: info@iaicac.org

Website: www.iaicac.org