Earlier this month it was brought to the attention of the County’s Security team that there are scammers impersonating COVID-19 contact tracers. Their purpose is to profit from the current public health emergency. You might have heard about this on from the news media.

Scammers are calling individuals, sending out links in text messages and emails about fictitious COVID-19 cases. Scammers may ask for social security number, money, financial information, immigration status, and other sensitive information that are not required for authentic contact tracing.

California Connected is the state’s contact tracing program which involves a confidential process used by public health departments to slow the spread of COVID-19. Legitimate contract tracers will telephone those individuals that have tested positive and will alert anyone that may have been exposed, while keeping personally identifiable information (PII) confidential. They may also use email and text messages to indicate when they will contact you and/or visit, but they will not use email or text to ask you to click on a link or download anything. Legitimate contract tracers may also ask about symptoms, offer testing guidance, and discuss next steps like self-isolation and medical care.

• If you are contacted by someone claiming to be a contact tracer, remember the following:
• Be caution of suspicious emails, phone calls, and text messages.
• Never provide an individual claiming to be a contact tracer any personal information about your finances, social security number, or detailed health information.
• Contact your local health department to verify that the call or messages are valid
• Think before you click on any links
• Be aware of suspicious attachments.

 For additional information regarding California Connected or COVID-19 visit CDPH Contract Tracing.