A: Criminals prey on unfortunate circumstances, seeking to capitalize on victims during times of panic and hardship. Employers should consider notifying employees about the existence of COVID-19 cyber scams. During times of crisis, scammers will pose as reputable sources and use fear to solicit personal information. Employers should communicate best practices (like the ones listed below) so employees know how to respond to such solicitations.

• Avoid checking links from unsolicited emails, and be wary of email attachments.
• Make sure all links have a valid email address.
• Use trusted sources when looking for factual information on COVID-19, such as http://www.cdc.gov
• Never give out personal or financial information via email, even if the sender is legitimate.
• Verify a charity’s authenticity before making any donations.

It may also benefit employers to back up data and bolster network protections.

If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact your Liberty Advisor.