Many people react to the current corona pandemic with uncertainty and fear. That also calls more and more fraudsters on the scene. The criminals pretend to be police officers, doctors or city workers in order to pull money out of their victims’ pockets. The R + V Versicherung information center therefore currently warns you to be more careful. “The fraudsters play with people’s fear or compassion,” says Nicole Günter, R + V expert for property damage. “They often come across as very convincing.”
Beware of doorstep selling
One of the scams: a supposed employee of the health department rings and wants to carry out an allegedly urgently needed corona test at the front door – for immediate payment. The scammer may even wear a protective suit to appear more believable.
Crooks also ask people to pay up by phone, for example for the invented treatment of a loved one suffering from Covid-19. Still others offer masks, vaccines or medication for sale – of course against prepayment.
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“In door-to-door sales in particular, consumers should question the story presented to them too much or obtain additional information. Employees of an authority or a doctor’s practice would never offer corona tests or other goods for cash on site, ”warns Nicole Günter. You shouldn’t be put under pressure either. “Then the best thing to do is close the door immediately or hang up the phone in the case of dubious calls.” Important to know: If you lose money through trickery, you can usually not hope for compensation from the insurance company.
Further safety tips:
- If a stranger is at the door, a peephole, an intercom or a door chain provide security. Basically: never let strangers into the apartment.
- You should always handle personal information carefully and not pass it on to unknown people.
- Contact the police or a consumer advice center if you receive invoices for services that have not been performed.
- If strangers offer a shopping service, you should only pay for the goods upon receipt.
- In suspicious situations, dial the emergency number 110 immediately.
- You can also find valuable information on the subject of “Corona crime” at Police crime prevention website.
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