Scammers Exploit Consumer Fears About Ebola, Warns Better Business Bureau

CHICAGO, IL – It’s an indisputable fact that scams follow the news. Whether it’s a natural disaster, manmade crisis or health related scare, scammers will seek profit. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is joining government agencies in alerting consumers about scams that are related to the Ebola virus.

The fear of this deadly disease has moved scammers to act quickly. “It’s the fear of the unknown that can cause consumers to act almost irrationally, buying untested products that will give them no more protection than if they’d done nothing Those are the kind of products you will find offered on the internet,” says Steve J. Bernas, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois. “Health officials maintain that Ebola is not spread through casual contact and the risk of contracting the virus in the United States is very low,” Bernas added.

Scammers taking advantage of the situation have just one goal and that is to separate people from their money. Bernas noted, “It’s a different kind of emotional plea fear, anxiety, and even greed.”

The FTC states, “Scam artists are making unsubstantiated claims that products containing everything from silver to herbal oils and snake venom can cure or prevent Ebola.” Both the FTC and FDA say that these claims are completely false and have issued a warning letter to Natural Solutions Foundation to make that point.

What should consumers be on the lookout for?

• Charity Scams – Con artist will solicit for donations to fake charities. Be aware of solicitations from obscure nonprofit groups claiming to provide relief for Ebola victims. Before committing, check out the organization at bbb.org.
• Stock Scams – Crooks will pitch the stock of companies that have supposedly found a cure, sell special hazardous materials suits or had a breakthrough or some other solution to fight the virus. Stock scams often aim to get people to buy shares of companies in which the crooks have an investment. The stock’s price rises with demand. After the stock rallies the crooks dump their shares for a profit. Before investing, do your research especially if you are hearing about the company through unsolicited pitches.
• Identity risk – Be careful about any unsolicited email messages you might receive regarding Ebola. Such messages could contain malware. If you click on a photo, video or attachment, you could trigger malware that might track your keystrokes to learn passwords, financial account numbers or other personal information.
• Ebola cures – Scammers will try to sell all-in-one products that will cure a wide range of illnesses, quick fixes and “All Natural” cures that can contain untested, hidden or dangerous ingredients and “Miracle” cures which are generally only found buried in print ads, TV infomercials or on internet sites.

BBB advice for not becoming a victim of an Ebola-related scam:

• Remember there are currently no FDA-approved vaccines or drugs to prevent or treat Ebola. There are experimental Ebola vaccines and treatments under development but they are in the early stages of product development and are not available to the public.
• Be on guard if you receive press releases or emails from an unknown sender touting a company’s stock.
• Remember that even if a stock is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), that doesn’t mean it has been investigated by the agency.
• Don’t fall for name-dropping relationships with familiar sounding charities, companies, government agencies, or medical facilities. They may be fake.
• If making a donation, ask if the money actually goes to the charity. Don’t be pressured into making a donation. Ask for written materials. Don’t make a contribution using cash or a pre-paid debit card.

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