Contact tracers are working to slow the spread of coronavirus. However, the Virginia Department of Health is warning Virginians to be vigilant for scammers posing as contact tracers.
Virginia employs contact tracers, whose job is to notify those people who have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
They will offer information about the virus when they call, and ask individuals to quarantine themselves while monitoring for symptoms. Those who develop symptoms will be referred for medical evaluation and testing to help contain the spread of coronavirus.
VDH encourages all Virginians to work with legitimate contact tracers and answer their calls, texts, voicemails and emails. Doing so can help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
When a contact tracer calls, caller ID will say “VDH COVID Team.”
Real contact tracers will never ask for money or personal information like Social Security numbers, credit card numbers or bank account details.
Anyone who says they are a contact tracer and asks for such information is a scammer, health officials said..
VDH warns to never click on links in text messages, as legitimate texts will only tell the recipient to expect a phone call. Clicking such links will likely download malicious software.
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