Scam Alert: Thieves Continue Preying on COVID 19 Fears to Steal Your Money

New twists on pandemic fraud in 2025 exploit health concerns, relief programs and technology

Although the acute phase of the COVID 19 pandemic has eased, scams exploiting virus-related fears have only grown more sophisticated. Fraudsters leverage emerging technologies, from AI chatbots impersonating public health officials to deepfake videos promising miracle cures — while new relief programs, vaccine mandates and global travel requirements open fresh opportunities for deception. In North Carolina and nationwide, consumers report losing hundreds of dollars or having personal data compromised by scammers posing as government agencies, medical providers, charities and tech support services. To stay safe, you need to understand how COVID scams have evolved since 2021, learn to recognize today’s red flags and know where to report suspicious activity. Read on for the latest tactics, protective measures and state resources to guard your money and identity.

How COVID scams have changed since 2021

In mid 2021, scammers relied heavily on fake treatments, online test kits and phishing texts purporting to be from the CDC or WHO. By 2025, these have expanded into a broad ecosystem of frauds:

• Phony immunity passports: Deepfake videos and AI voices claim to issue digital immunity credentials that scammers sell for $50–200 each, but the QR codes they send lead victims to malware sites.
• Unauthorized vaccine certificate apps: Fraudulent mobile apps promise backdated or altered vaccine records but steal login details for state immunization databases and personal insurance accounts.
• Long COVID cure kits: Unregulated supplements packaged as “anti inflammatory” or “immune rebuilder” sell for up to $500 and often contain untested compounds that can cause real harm.
• Bogus relief fund intermediaries: Third parties claim to offer expedited stimulus or disaster relief payments, charging upfront fees in gift cards or cryptocurrency.
• AI impersonation of doctors and family: Voice cloning techniques call seniors claiming to be grandchild or physician, urging immediate payment for antiviral injections or telehealth consultations.
• Travel health scams: Fake agencies sell fraudulent health certificates or “rapid test guarantees” required for international flights, often shipping counterfeit documents or nothing at all.

Common tactics used by fraudsters

1. Urgent pressure and social engineering

Scammers create false deadlines for vaccine appointments, relief applications or quarantine exemptions, insisting you act within minutes or lose out forever. This sense of urgency overrides your normal caution.

2. Requests for untraceable payment methods

Fraudsters demand gift cards, cryptocurrency or prepaid debit cards, payment channels with little to no chance of reversal or recovery once the scammer redeems the funds.

3. Use of official-looking documents and deepfakes

Advanced generative AI lets scammers fabricate logos, letterhead and videos of public health leaders endorsing their fake offers. It takes careful scrutiny to spot slight inconsistencies in watermark placement, speech cadence or facial expression.

4. Phishing links in text messages and emails

Malicious URLs masked as legitimate CDC or state health department domains install spyware or steal login credentials when you click. Hovering over links to verify the real domain is critical.

5. Fake charity and crowdfunding pages

Impostor GoFundMe or Kickstarter pages solicit donations for “COVID relief,” often copying genuine charity names but changing one letter or using a similar URL. Always verify the official nonprofit registration before donating.

6. Hijacked social media giveaways

Scammers compromise popular influencers accounts and post offers of free test kits or health supplements. Comments direct followers to a private message where the con is finalized.

How to protect yourself and your family

• Verify information at official sources: Always go directly to state or federal health department websites (e.g., cdc.gov, ncdhhs.gov) rather than clicking links in unsolicited messages.
• Ignore high pressure tactics: Legitimate agencies and providers never demand immediate payment or threaten arrest for missing deadlines.
• Use secure payment methods: Pay with a credit card that offers fraud protection. Never send gift cards, cryptocurrency or wire transfers for medical supplies, vaccine records or relief claims.
• Inspect QR codes and URLs: Do not scan codes from unknown flyers or social media posts. Verify URL authenticity by comparing against official domain spellings.
• Keep devices updated: Install the latest security patches on your phone, tablet and computer to block known malware delivering through fake test kit apps or vaccination record tools.
• Use multi factor authentication: Enable app-based authenticators or hardware security keys on all health portals, insurance and bank accounts to minimize SIM swap and credential theft risks.
• Consult your health care provider: Never rely on unsolicited calls or messages for medical advice. Confirm treatments, test kits and vaccine appointments directly with your doctor or local clinic.
• Monitor your accounts regularly: Watch your bank and credit card statements for unusual charges related to test kits, telehealth sessions or vaccine document fees.

Reporting scams and seeking help in North Carolina

• NC Attorney General Consumer Protection Division: File complaints about COVID 19 related fraud at ncdoj.gov/consumer or call 919-716-6000.
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Report pandemic scams online at reportfraud.ftc.gov or call 1-877-FTC-HELP.
• Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Eastern NC: Check charity ratings and report fraudulent fundraisers at bbb.org.
• Local health departments: Verify vaccine and testing site legitimacy through your county’s health department website or phone line before scheduling or paying for anything.
• Nonprofit fraud hotlines: The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) accepts cybersecurity and deepfake scam reports at ic3.gov.

Scammers adapt quickly to new technology and public concerns. By staying informed about the latest fraud techniques, relying on official sources for health and relief information, using secure payment methods and reporting suspicious activity, North Carolina consumers can protect their finances and personal data from COVID 19 related scams in 2025.