I've been receiving a lot of text messages claiming money loans or other scam crap. Irritating!

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American Military News – The novel coronavirus has created an environment that con-artists are seizing on, from peddling medical masks and vaccines that don’t exist to offering no-interest emergency loans. “This is a scammer’s paradise right now,” said Sue McConnell, president of the Cleveland Better Business Bureau. “The fact that many of us are worried, isolated, facing a disease that is a threat to all of us, and that this is happening on a global scale has created a breeding ground for fraud.” Here is just some scams cited:

Text messages promising emergency money to help cover everyday expenses. This scam exists in cities including Columbus. The link can compromise the security of your cellphone or computer.

Emails posing as the Center for Disease Control or the World Health Organization or other entities. The emails falsely promise important information to fight the virus or products that are in short supply. Opening an attachment or clicking on links can cause malware to infect your computer and compromise your passwords to financial websites or other important sites.

Calls or emails or text messages promising to sell you medical masks, hand sanitizer or other protection products. The con-artists ask for upfront payments or deposits. The products are never sent. The BBB in Cleveland reports a company called “Juicy Trends” claiming to sell protective masks called “SafeBreath95.” The website was registered from the Bahamas.

Door-to-door coronavirus testers are being reported to the BBB. The fraudsters are collecting money and offering to test the victim for coronavirus. “This method of testing is not legitimate,” the BBB said.

Calls or text messages claiming to be from a representative of a gas or electric company or other utility. The calls say the household needs to get a new meter because of coronavirus. Of course, there’s a cost of $300 or $600. But there’s no meter. There’s no such thing.

Unexpected calls from fraudsters claiming to be from your bank or a government agency. If this happens, hang up.

Other reports around the web indicate that scammers too are not letting a good crisis go to waste. Here are just a few we found:

NBC News – Coronavirus scam alert: From fake Starbucks coupons to fraud, cons are going viral.

BBC – Police are warning people to be vigilant after a suspected conman tried to get a homeowner to hand over their dog for Coronavirus quarantine.

KATU2 – FBI warns the public of coronavirus-related scams.

Forbes – COVID-19 ‘Vaccine’ Seller First To Be Busted In Crackdown On Vile Coronavirus Scams.

Time – COVID-19 Scams Are Everywhere Right Now. Here’s How to Protect Yourself.

The Guardian – US authorities battle surge in coronavirus scams, from phishing to fake treatments

Perhaps this isn’t a total scam, just price gouging. QUILTON Toilet Paper 3 PLY 360 SHEETS Toilet Tissue Equal To 18 Regular Rolls on Ebay We screenshot the offer and put on the feature photo of this post in case it goes (current bid $600US) – given to us by a Right Wire Report member from Australia.

Oh, dear … It’s hard enough to deal with Coronavirus let alone the scammers.