National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline

The Department of Justice is remaining vigilant in detecting, investigating, and prosecuting wrongdoing related to the crisis.

Be aware that criminals are attempting to exploit COVID-19 worldwide through a variety of scams.  There have been reports of:

* Individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19 online and engaging in other forms of fraud.
* Phishing emails from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
* Malicious websites and apps that appear to share virus-related information to gain and lock access to your devices until payment is received.
* Seeking donations fraudulently for illegitimate or non-existent charitable organizations.

Criminals will likely continue to use new methods to exploit COVID-19 worldwide.

The Department is also committed to preventing hoarding and price gouging for critical supplies during this crisis. Hoarding of critical supplies, either far beyond what someone could use or for the purpose of profiteering is prohibited.

To report a scam or attempted fraud involving COVID-19 or to report hoarding or price gouging of critical supplies, contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 1-(866) 720-5721 or via email at disaster@leo.gov