Your finances are stressful enough without worrying about falling victim to a scam. Unfortunately, scammers are constantly evolving their tactics, and they’re especially aggressive during times of uncertainty. Whether you’re managing debt, working toward savings goals, or just trying to keep your money secure, it’s crucial to know what threats are out there. Let’s walk through some common scams and practical ways you can protect yourself and your hard-earned money.

Fake PPE and Treatment Offers

Scammers love exploiting your genuine concerns—especially when it comes to your health and safety. You might encounter fraudulent offers for protective equipment or even fake “coronavirus treatments” that promise miracles with zero scientific backing.

Here’s what these scams typically look like:

PPE and Equipment Scams
A seller offers PPE or manufacturing equipment, insists on payment via phone or email only, and refuses to provide any verifiable credentials. They disappear after you pay. Sometimes they’ll even advertise a “work-from-home opportunity” where you can supposedly earn money making PPE—but first, you need to pay for manufacturing equipment upfront. Red flag.

Fake Treatment Claims
You see ads promising unverified coronavirus treatments or cures. Even if you receive something in return, it’s worthless and potentially harmful.

How to protect yourself:
– Never pay for PPE, treatments, or equipment without verifying the seller through multiple independent channels
– Stick with established, reputable retailers and distributors
– Remember: there’s no miracle cure or secret treatment. If it sounds too good to be true, it is

Contact Tracing and Mobile Banking Threats

As more of your life moves online—especially your banking—scammers are targeting the apps and platforms you rely on daily. One common tactic involves fake contact tracing notifications.

What to watch for:
Unsolicited text messages claiming you’ve been exposed to illness, with links urging you to click immediately. These links can install malicious software on your phone that steals sensitive information. You might also receive phone calls from someone posing as a “health official” asking for your Social Security number or other personal details.

Scammers can create fake versions of legitimate apps (like your mobile banking app) that look identical but actually steal your login credentials, account numbers, and passwords.

How to protect yourself:
– Never share your Social Security number with someone who called you unsolicited. Real government agencies won’t ask for this over the phone
– Don’t click links in text messages unless you’re 100% certain of the source
– Enable multi-factor authentication on all your important accounts—especially banking and financial apps. This adds a crucial extra layer of security
– Use text filtering options on your phone to block suspicious messages
– Be skeptical of unsolicited contact, whether it’s a text, email, or call
– If you’re concerned about exposure or need to verify something, contact the organization directly using a number or website you know is legitimate

Keep Your Money Safe and Moving Forward

Your financial goals—whether that’s paying off debt, building savings, or investing in your future—deserve protection. Scammers are counting on you being rushed, stressed, or distracted. By staying alert and following these simple steps, you can keep your money secure and focus on what really matters: building the financial life you want.

At Piere, we’re here to help you automate and protect your financial progress. Because the best defense against financial setbacks isn’t just awareness—it’s having a plan that keeps your money working for you, every single day.