Scammers look to cash in on coronavirus using illegal robocalls

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Trade Commission is sending a warning about scammers using illegal robocalls to cash in on the pandemic.

"Due to the national health crisis pandemic, we are now offering a special enrollment in your area,” an automated message said in one of the robocalls.

"If you want to receive a free testing kit delivered overnight to your home, press one,” another robocall said.

The FTC said a single robocall campaign can blast out millions of calls.

"They want to use fear to make people think they've got to act urgently and if they don't spend this money to get whatever it is that they're selling, they're not as safe as they would be otherwise,” Assistant Director in Division of Marketing Practices for FTC, Will Maxson, said.

The FTC issued warnings to the companies who provide a platform to make robocalls.

“We’re telling them, look at who you’re working with,” Maxson said. “Do your due diligence and make sure that you’re not illegally assisting and facilitating people that are making illegal calls and if you are, then we’re going to come after you.”

© 2020 Cox Media Group