Connecticut Puts Together COVID-19 Fraud Task Force

In an effort to combat all the scams that are popping up related to the COVID-19 virus, the state has put together a joint State-Federal task force.

The task force is being put together in Connecticut by Attorney General William Tong, U.S. Attorney John Durham, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Chief State’s Attorney Richard Colangelo.

According to a press release, the task force will investigate a wide range of misconduct related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Things they will be investigating and prosecuting for will be price gouging, healthcare fraud, small business scams, lending scams, charity fraud, and cyber fraud.

Anyone caught committing any of these actions may be subject to civil fines, penalties, and possibly even state or federal criminal prosecution.

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong explained just how the joint task force will work:

To those who seek to use this crisis as an opportunity to cheat, scam and defraud—stop. The Office of the Attorney General is working hand in hand with our state and federal enforcement partners to aggressively investigate and prosecute COVID-19 related misconduct. Our office has received over a thousand complaints regarding price gouging, scams and other schemes and our attorneys and investigators are following up on each and every one. If you are aware of COVID-19 related fraud and abuse, we want to know about it.

U.S. Attorney John Durham explained how the federal level will be involved as well:

The Justice Department is prioritizing the investigation and prosecution of COVID-19 fraud schemes and individuals who are exploiting this public health crisis for personal gain. Our office has a dedicated COVID-19 Fraud Coordinator who is working closely with our state counterparts in the offices of the Attorney General and Chief State’s Attorney to review complaints and direct the prosecution of COVID-19-related crimes. Working together, we will disrupt these schemes and are prepared to prosecute those who seek to prey upon people’s fears or sympathy and illegally profit from this pandemic.

Here are some of the area's the Task Force will deem specific area's of concern.

Stimulus Check Scams
Charities Fraud
Price Gouging
Phishing, Spoofing and Cyber Fraud
Healthcare and Government Program Fraud
Small Business Loan Fraud Schemes
Mortgage and Student Loan Relief Scams

If your a Connecticut resident, and feel like you have been the victim of any one of these scams, you can report it to the task force by contacting the Office of the Attorney General via email at attorney.general@ct.gov or by calling 860-808-5318.

You can also visit the NCDF website to fill out a complaint form.