Scammers combine disturbing imagery with personal identifying information (PII) about you or your family to make you believe they will harm you or your family if you don’t wire money to the scammer.

Generally, the scam will come to your cell phone from an unknown number or set of multiple numbers. This scam typically includes multiple stages.

The first set of text messages will include personal identifying information about you or your family. Information typically included in this introduction is a name, address, phone number, or work address. 

The scammer claims to be part of a criminal street organization and says or implies that a person or assassin is coming to harm you or a family member. They will then demand that you respond to the text message and pay a fee to keep this person from traveling to your location. 

Finally, they will send a set of disturbing and graphic photographs that depict the deaths of individuals who have been gruesomely killed. In some cases, the bad actor will claim to have a family member either hostage or injured. The disturbing nature of the photographs, coupled with the personal identifying information (name, address, etc.) of you or a family member, are intentionally used to cause fear so that you will be motivated to pay money in order to avoid the threatened violence depicted in the photographs.

If you or another person responds to these text messages, the scammer will provide instructions to withdraw cash from your bank account. They will then direct you to various small businesses that have wire transfer kiosks or services. These businesses could be a neighborhood liquor store or money exchange location. 

The scammer will then provide instructions on sending the money through a wire transfer. These instructions include the name and location of the financial institution and account number you are to send the money to. Once the wire transfer is completed, the scam is successful.

Sometimes the scammer will also instruct the victim to destroy and/or discard the receipt from the wire transfer. The scammer is able to respond to the location where the wire transfer was sent and, using the account information, withdraw the monies.

 What to do if you’ve been contacted by an unknown number sending you personal identifying information, disturbing images, or both.

• Remember that the information provided in the initial “introduction” is readily available through an online search of the internet or even from the dark web. You may not have listed this information on the internet, but if you used a company which stored your information and that company had a data breach, it is possible your personal identifying information was obtained illegally from this data breach. Once obtained, the information can be sold to scammers on the dark web.

Ask yourself this question: is the information provided in this “introduction” unique and specific about me or my family, or is it very generalized? A name and address feels specific, but is actually very general and used regularly. Specific information would be something like: knowing what time you leave for work, what route you drive to work, a school or regular sports event you attend, or the color of your favorite mug you take a hot beverage in when you leave the house every day in the morning. General information is readily available and public, whereas specific information is not generally publicly available and implies that someone has been actively monitoring you to establish patterns in your life.

• If you get phone calls or text messages from numbers you do not recognize, and the person calling or sending messages is providing you with information which elicits a high emotional response, remember this is a common tactic for a scam.

• Remember, there is little to no reason to continue conversing or texting with the person threatening you or your family. Call your family members first and confirm they are OK. Realize that if your family member was traveling internationally, you would probably know about it and take a moment to locate your family to ensure they are OK. The scammer wants you to react out of emotion; take a moment to be proactive in contacting family, not reactive to a scammer. 

• If you have any doubts or concerns for your or your family member’s safety from a scam like this, contact Fremont Police Department and talk through your concern. Remember, neither Fremont PD, nor any U.S. government agency, will call and demand you send money immediately for the safety of a family member or yourself.

This type of scam typically uses a cell phone that is equipped with a VOIP (Voice over internet protocol) or a “spoofed” phone number. A spoofed phone number is a number which is generated only for a set of one or more calls, but is not a real working number with a telecommunications provider. It is a false number which is displayed on the recipient’s phone.

To learn more about “spoofing” and “spoofed” phone numbers, or to file a complaint with the FCC due to being called by a “spoofed” number, visit www.fcc.gov/spoofing.

All online investigations involving cryptocurrency will be reviewed by an officer prior to approval. Please make sure that all information is included in your report to include the address of the crypto wallet and associated emails and usernames of the suspects. 

Keep in mind that once money is sent to the scammers, it is immediately withdrawn and sent to other accounts that are overseas. Cryptocurrency by its very nature was created to be decentralized. There are Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements for some cryptocurrency exchanges, however, scammers are proficient in creating false identification to create crypto accounts. 

A preliminary investigation will be completed by the Fremont Police, however, if there is no information that leads to an actual identifiable suspect, the case will be suspended. 

Please refer to the following links for information regarding crypto currency scams and additional resources if you are a victim.

• Federal Trade Commission's webpage on What To Know About Cryptocurrency and Scams | Consumer Advice (ftc.gov)
• Report fraud through FTC
• Report fraud through FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) &  use their site to file a complaint
• CEWPD: ID Theft & Hi-Tech Crime — Alameda County District Attorney's Office (alcoda.org)

The cryptocurrency world is unregulated and decentralized. This attracts fraudsters and scammers seeking to carry out all kinds of crypto scams.

Not all unsuccessful new cryptocurrencies are scams.  Investors can lose money if a genuine crypto coin fails. You need to be cautious and do your own research. 

Some types of crypto investment scams seen most in Fremont include, but are not limited to the following:

• Fake crypto exchanges/currencies, which look like legitimate companies but then disappear, taking their victim’s money with them.
• Bogus investment schemes, where people are promised massive and unrealistic return on investment. If it is too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers will often attach a famous name to the scheme as well to attract victims.
• Spoofing and impersonation, scammers set up fake websites or spoof phone numbers to trick people to send them money. The most common scheme is via fake emails supposedly from large companies like Microsoft or Apple requesting funds to unlock a victim’s account.
• Malware, which attaches itself to people’s computers and steals their information usually through phishing emails and social engineering.
• Romance Scams, where scammers contact victims via social media platforms and start an online relationship. The scammers will quickly prey on victim’s good nature and start requesting money while promising marriage or a long-term relationship. Once the money stops flowing all contact with the victim stops. Love shouldn’t cost a thing!
• Business email compromise, where scammers will create spoofed emails and pretend to be a vendor or executive officer of a company. Scammers will often use the companies own website to research the company executive’s names to create the spoofed emails. The email will typically involve a request for payment or a funds transfer. More often than not, the email addresses will be incorrect by one letter or the domain name will be incorrect. (i.e. example.com vs. example.org)

 How to recognize a scam

• Keep a level head. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Do your own research. If a social media account is claiming a celebrity is endorsing a cryptocurrency product, then you need to make sure it’s true.
• If emails, documents, linked websites, and text messages are full of typos and mistakes, then you are almost certainly dealing with a cryptocurrency scam.
• Don’t let anyone have access to your computer or phone, especially if the scammer is requesting remote access.
• The Federal Trade Commission suggests you should do an online search for the crypto product that the scammer wants you to invest in.
• For online relationships, always remember that love doesn’t cost a thing. Don’t send money to strangers you have never met.

Final thoughts

Also remember that cryptocurrencies are volatile investments. Even if you are dealing with something authentic, there is no guarantee that you will make money. Do your research! Remember crypto values can go up as well as down, and never invest more than you can afford to lose.

Identity Theft

Identity theft occurs when someone accesses your personal information and then uses it to commit fraud in your name. Once identity thieves have your personal information, they can drain your bank account, run up charges on your credit cards, open new credit and utility accounts, or get medical treatment on your health insurance. An identity thief can file a tax refund in your name and get your refund. In some extreme cases, a thief might even give your name to the police during an arrest.

If you are a victim of identity theft, file a police report with the Fremont Police Department and immediately file a report with the Federal Trade Commission.

After you have file a police report, submit the identity theft victim’s fraudulent account information request form to your account provider(s).

Important Links and Information Regarding Identity Theft

• Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ID Theft Reporting and Information
• Alameda County Identity Theft Information
• CA Office of Privacy Protection - Fraudulent Accounts Information Request
• ID Theft Center
• CA Department of Justice (DOJ)
• International Fraud Crimes

What Is Identity Theft?

Identity theft or identity fraud is the taking of a victim’s identity to obtain credit and credit cards from banks and retailers, steal money from a victim’s existing accounts, apply for loans, establish accounts with utility companies, rent an apartment, file bankruptcy, or obtain a job using a victim’s name. Thousands of dollars can be stolen without the victim knowing about it for months or even years.

What Information is Fraudulently Obtained?

• Person’s name
• Address
• Credit card information
• Driver’s license number
• Social security number
• Personal Information

What Are the Most Common Ways a Theft Obtains Information?

• Dumpster diving—going through trash cans looking for straight cut or unshredded papers
• Stealing mail or wallets
• Listing in on conversations in public
• Tricking victims into giving the information over the phone or by e-mail
• Buying the information, either on the Internet or from someone who may have stolen it
• Stealing information from a loan or credit application, or paperwork filed at a hospital, bank, school, or business the victim has dealt with
• Taking it from the victim’s computer, especially ones that lack firewalls
• Getting it from a friend or relative or someone who works with the victim or has access to the victim’s information
• Using skimming devises designed to obtain information from the magnetic strip on credit cards
• Completing a change of address from the U.S. Postal Service to divert mail to another location
• Buying personal information from an inside source (pay a store employee for personal identifiers)

How Can I Minimize Becoming a Victim?

• Read the California Office of Privacy Protection's: A Guide for Identity Theft Victims.
• Be sure to read all privacy information sheets.
• Carry only what you actually need for identification and limit the number of credit cards in you wallet.
• Consider ordering a copy of your free credit report each year to verify the information. The three major credit reporting agencies are:
  
  • Equifax: 800-525-6285
  • Experian: 888-397-3742
  • Trans Union: 800-680-7289
• Don’t put outgoing mail in your mailbox for pick up with account information or checks. Take to the post office.
• Keep passwords to financial accounts private. Don’t use personal information for passwords. Avoid using easily available information like your mother’s maiden name, your birth date, and the last four digits of your SSN.
• Make a list of all your credit card and bank account numbers with customer service numbers and keep it in a safe place.
• Pay attention to billing cycles. 
• Store items with personal information in a safe place and shred them before discarding. Verify the company or business you’re providing personal information to and find out how it will be used. 
• Find out how information will be used and whether it will be shared with others before you reveal any personally identifying information.
• Be sure to read the private policy on all websites. 
• Keep items with personal information in a safe place. Always tear or shred items with personal information before discarding them. 
• Do not give personal information over the phone, through mail, or via the internet on unsecure sites.

Consequences of Identity Theft

Identity theft or identity fraud is the taking of a victim’s identity to obtain credit and credit cards from banks and retailers, steal money from a victim’s existing accounts, apply for loans, establish accounts with utility companies, rent an apartment, file bankruptcy, or obtain a job using a victim’s name. Thousands of dollars can be stolen without the victim knowing about it for months or even years.

What to Do if You Have Been Victimized?

• If you are a victim of identity theft, file a police report with the Fremont Police Department and immediately file a report with the Federal Trade Commission.
• Contact the three major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your credit report.
• Contact financial institutions such as banks and credit card companies to check for unusual activity.
• If your checks have been stolen or misused, close the account and ask the bank to notify the appropriate check verification service. You should also contact the three major check verification companies to alert retailers that use their databases not to accept your checks.
• Contact SCAN at 1-800-262-7771 to find out if bad checks have been passed.
• Contact utility companies (power, water, phone, cable, etc.) to check for unusual activity.
• Contact the Social Security Administration Inspector General Fraud Hotline at 1-800- 269-0271.
• Keep a log or diary of all information gathered regarding the identity theft.

Top 10 Tips for Identity Theft Protection

An identity thief takes your personal information and uses it without your knowledge. The thief may run up debts or even commit crimes in your name. The following tips can help you lower your risk of becoming a victim.

1. Protect your Social Security Number
   Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet. If your health plan (other than Medicare) or another card uses your Social Security number, ask the company for a different number.

2. Fight “Phishing” – Don’t Take the Bait
   Scam artists “phish” for victims by pretending to be banks, stores or government agencies. They do this over the phone, in e-mails and in the regular mail. Don’t give out your personal information – unless you made the contact. Don’t respond to a request to verify your account number or password. Legitimate companies do not request this kind of information in this way. Bottom line: never give out your personal information – unless you made the contact.

3. Polish Your Password Practices
   Identity thieves love passwords because they open doors to our personal information. Get tough and organized now. Use different passwords to all your accounts. Make those passwords strong with at least eight characters, including a mix of numbers, letters and symbols (such as $+r0<ghH@H). Hide them safely, and keep them handy. Good password practices are work, but fixing an identity theft problem is hard labor.

4. Be Mysterious on Social Networks
   What you share on social networks (your home or email address; children’s names; birth date and so on) is what tech-savvy thieves use for scams, phishing and account theft. Don’t over-share.

5. Shield Your Computer and Smartphone
   Protect your personal information on your computers and smartphones. Use strong passwords and firewall, virus, and spyware protection software that you update regularly. Steer clear of spyware. Download free software only from sites you know and trust. Do not install software without knowing what it is. Set Internet Explorer browser security to at least “medium.” Do not click on links in pop-up windows or spam emails.

6. Click with Caution
   When shopping online, check out a website before entering your credit card number or other personal information. Read the privacy policy and look for opportunities to opt out of information sharing. (If there is no privacy policy posted, consider shopping elsewhere.) Only enter personal information on secure Web pages with “https” in the address bar and a padlock symbol at the bottom of the browser window. These are signs that your information will be encrypted or scrambled, protecting it from hackers.

7. Check Your Statements
   Open your credit card bills and bank statements right away. Check carefully for any unauthorized charges or withdrawals and report them immediately. Call if bills don’t arrive on time. It may mean that someone has changed contact information to hide fraudulent charges.

8. Stop Pre-Approved Credit Offers
   Stop most pre-approved credit card offers. They make a tempting target for identity thieves who steal your mail. Have your name removed from credit bureau marketing lists. Call toll-free 1-888-5OPTOUT (888-567-8688). Or opt out online.

9. Check Your Credit Reports – For Free
   One of the best ways to protect against identity theft is to monitor your credit history. You can get one free credit report every year from each of the three national credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Request all three reports at one or be your own no-cost credit-monitoring service. Just spread out your requests, ordering from a different bureau every four months. (More comprehensive monitoring services from the credit bureaus cost from $44 to over $100 per year.) Order your free annual credit reports by phone, toll-free, at 1-877-322-8228; or online. Or you can mail in an order form.

10. Ask Questions
    Don’t be afraid to ask questions when a business or agency asks for your personal information. Ask how it will be used, how it will be shared and how it will be protected. Explain you are concerned about identity theft. If you’re not satisfied with the answers, consider taking your business somewhere else.

IRS Phone Scam

The scam consists of an “agent” calling victims saying they owe money to the IRS. The “agent” demands the money be paid promptly by a pre-paid debit card. If the victim refuses, the “agent” threatens to call the police to have the victim arrested. It is not known if the con artists are working in the Fremont area. In some cases, the phone number on caller ID has been of official government agencies, suggesting that they are using sophisticated computer software programs to disguise their ID and appear official.

If you receive a call regarding taxes owed, we encourage you to do the following:

• If you know you owe taxes or think you might owe taxes, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. The IRS employees at that line can help you. If you know you don’t owe taxes or have no reason to think that you owe any taxes (for example, you've never received a bill), then call and report the incident to the Treasury Inspector General at 1-800-366-4484.

Report a phone scam.

For more information on the “IRS Telephone Scam”, visit the Internal Revenue Service.

Immigration Visa Scam

Do not fall victim to telephone scammers posing as USCIS personnel or other government officials. In most instances, scammers will:

• Request personal information (Social Security number, Passport number, or A-number).
• Identify false problems with your immigration record.
• Ask for payment via money card to correct the records.

If a scammer calls you, say “no, thank you” and hang up. These phone calls are being made by immigration scammers attempting to take your money and your credit card information. USCIS will not call you to ask for any form of payment over the phone. Don’t give payment over the phone to anyone who claims to be a USCIS official. If you have been a victim of this telephone scam, please report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Law Enforcement Department Scam

Law Enforcement advises the public to be aware of phone scams involving subjects pretending to be law enforcement personnel. Suspects fraudulently identify themselves as law enforcement officers and call victims claiming they have a warrant for their arrest. The reasons for the warrant vary; the most frequent being failing to appear for jury duty or unpaid tickets. The victims are then told they can resolve the issue by obtaining a pre-paid money card and calling back with the card number. Once the number is obtained, the funds can be accessed anywhere in the world. The scammers have used the names of actual Fremont Police Department personnel and “spoof” caller identification so the numbers of actual law enforcement agencies will appear on the victim’s phone. The public is advised that the Fremont Police Department does not solicit by phone to advise of unpaid debts of any kind. In addition, payments related to warrants and/or citations are handled directly through the Court. The public can help combat this scam by doing the following:

• Do not call back and/or hang up if you are talking to them.
• Call the Fremont Police Department at 510-790-6800 to determine if an FPD employee is actually calling you and to file a report.
• Contact the Alameda County Court directly to inquire about outstanding bail or fine payment.

Lottery Scam

Victims have reported receiving letters saying that they have won a lottery prize. Usually there is a check included, supposedly to help you pay a “processing fee.” Both the prize and the check are bogus. These letters usually come from outside the country, or out of state. It’s more difficult to tell that it’s a scam because the initial letter does not request bank account information. The Fremont Police Department advises you do not respond in any way. Legitimate lotteries or sweepstakes will never require a payment in order to win a prize. If you have not entered a lottery or sweepstakes, it’s extremely unlikely you’ll be a winner.

These letters are annoying, but are not illegal. Do not respond to them, either by mail or phone. Do not attempt to cash any unsolicited and unexpected check. Do not ever give callers or the senders of these letters any personal information (dates of birth, social security numbers, credit card, bank account information, etc.). If you have any questions about the legitimacy of anything you receive, please contact your local police department for advice and direction.

Rental Scams

In the arbitrary Bay Area rental market, scams are very common and affect landlords and tenants alike. While contractual agreements between a landlord and tenant are considered a civil issue, it is criminal to provide fictitious names and or documents (social security cards, bank statements, pay stubs, etc.) in an effort to represent an affluent financial status. We have some great rental tips for landlords and tenants to consider if you are currently in or thinking about participating in the rental market.

Tips for Property Owners

There are simple, steps you can take as a landlord to help identify red flags. The following tips could help you protect your investment:

• Consider using a broker/management service to conduct rental screenings and deal directly with the tenants.
• Run a credit and background check on potential tenants. Be cautious accepting a pre-printed credit report provided by the applicant, these can be easily counterfeited. Most landlords have the prospective tenant consent to a standard rental background screening (about $35), which
  typically includes a credit check, eviction and court records, and other information. Most landlords utilize a screening service to perform this check Be cautious accepting a pre-printed credit report provided by the potential tenant, these can easily be counterfeited.
• Verify the identify of the individual you are renting to. You can request an official identification like a driver license or ID. Photo copies can be counterfeited, so ask to see their official ID.
• Verify your tenant's employment: ask for copies of pay stubs, and contact their employer to confirm their employment and salary as stated.
• Ask potential tenants for references and follow up by checking them.

Tips for Prospective Renters

Paying attention to red flags is key to safe-guarding potential trouble. The following tips could help you protect your money and time:

• Meet the landlord in person: Though some scammers will readily meet tenants in person, many, especially those operating from over-seas, will not. A personal meeting with the landlord will allow you to screen out some con artists.
• Be wary of a landlord who asks you to wire funds or pay in cash: Checks and cashier checks are returned to your bank with account information of the person who cashed it.
• Always obtain a written lease and read it carefully before signing it.
• Never rent sight-unseen: Viewing an apartment/home helps prevent fraud and also ensures that the tenant is aware of the condition of the unit.
• Conduct basic research: Use Google or another search engine to look up the address, landlord’s name and name of the management company.
• Be aware of market rates: a rental with a deal that is simply “too good to be true” should be very suspicious.
• Be aware of high-pressure tactics: Landlords who are not interested in a potential tenant’s background, don’t ask for a credit check, require upfront payments before any lease is signed or someone offering a sublease without proper authority could be signs of a scam.

Financial scams targeting seniors have become so prevalent that they’re now considered “the crime of the 21st century.”  Why? Because seniors are thought to have a significant amount of money sitting in their accounts. Additionally, seniors tend to be trusting and are willing problem-solvers.

Please visit our detailed information page on Senior Safety.

What is Smishing?

Smishing is when someone tries to trick you into giving them your private information via a text or SMS message.  It can involve a text message in an SMS or phone number.  The smisher tries to get you to share your personal information, such as online passwords, credit card information, or Social Security numbers.  Once the smisher obtains your information they can begin applying for new credit in your name.

When a text message or SMS comes from a number such as "8000" which does not resemble a standard phone number, skip them. Those are simply emails that are sent to a smartphone.  Or if the sender uses an email address such as SMS@opentexting.com that is a free, untraceable texting service originating from the Internet, and can come from anywhere in the world. 

How to Prevent Smishing

These two words will help you avoid smishing attacks: Delete and block.

In general, you shouldn’t reply to text messages from people you don’t know. Do not click on links you get on your phone unless you know the person they are coming from.  Never install apps you can click on in a text message.  Apps should only be installed if you get them directly from the official app store.  If you have any doubt about the safety of a text message, do not open it.

Consider installing a reputable VPN for mobile-based Internet security.  A VPN will secure and encrypt any communication taking place between your mobile and the Internet on the other end.

It only takes one bad text to compromise your security.  Use good judgment and caution to prevent becoming the victim of identity theft.

Sample Smishing Scam

A text message may be claiming to be from a major retailer or delivery service, wanting you to respond or click on a link to confirm a transaction. If you do not recognize the sender, or the sender is using  a non-standard phone number such as an "8000" number or a free texting services such as sms@opentextingonline,com, delete and block.

Resources

If you think you are the victim of identity theft or fraud, please visit the identify theft section of this page.

If you want to file a police report online, you can go the Fremont Police Department’s online reporting system.

Common COVID-Related Scams 

COVID is a world-wide emergency like we’ve never seen. Scammers are coming out of the dark using fear and false hope to get your money or information.

Home test kits!

A cure!

Your Social Security number is about to be revoked!

Your loved one is in trouble!

• Scammers ask for your bank account and routing number to “help” you get your relief money.
• Scammers send fake emails that look real but are really just stealing your personal information or if you click on a link, puts malware on your computer, tablet or phone.
• Scammers call (and call and call) using illegal robocalls to pitch the latest fraud.
• Scammers use text messages and social media to get your information and your money.

Our senior community is particularly vulnerable to victimization. If you or a loved one receives information or requests that seem suspicious, take time to examine the request before you act.

Unemployment Insurance Fraud Alert

Beware of scammers who offer to help you file claims for unemployment benefits.  Fraudsters call, email or contact potential victims on social media and offer to help complete the process for you to receive unemployment benefits.  They ask for (or may want you to “verify”) personal information including your Social Security number and date of birth.  They may want your credit card information in order to “assist” you in filing or qualifying for your unemployment benefits.

Be aware they may use your personal information fraudulently without your permission.

You do not need to pay somebody to file or qualify for your benefits.  The personal information the scammers collect may be used to commit identity theft to file fraudulent unemployment insurance claims or commit other kinds of fraud in your name.

Remember to check your mailbox every day and immediately remove mail when it is delivered.  Scammers are regularly stealing mail hoping to find your personal information, checks, financial documents and other things of value.

If you think you are the victim of unemployment insurance fraud, please report it online via a secure connection or call the California Employment Development Department (EDD)  toll-free fraud hotline at 800-229-6297.  If you live or work in Fremont and think you are the victim of identity theft or other fraud, contact the Fremont Police Department to file a report and get more information.  You can go file a Fremont police report online or call our non-emergency number:  510-790-6800, option 3.  You can also get information, access resources and file an identity theft report through the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Here are some ways to protect yourself and those you love from scammers:

• Don’t be rushed. Whatever the call, email, text, or social media post is about, remember that scammers try to rush you. Legit people don’t.
• Check it out. Before you act on something or share it – stop. Do some research. Do the facts back up the story?
• Pass it on. If you get offered something great, or you’re worried about something alarming: talk to someone you trust before you act. What do they think?
• Avoid online offers for coronavirus-related vaccines or cures; they aren't legitimate.
• Do not click on links or download files from unexpected emails, even if the email address looks like a company or person you recognize. Ditto for text messages and unfamiliar websites.
• Do not share personal information such as Social Security, Medicare, and credit card numbers in response to an unsolicited call, text or email.
• Be wary of fundraising calls or emails seeking money for coronavirus victims or disease research, especially if they pressure you to act fast and request payment by prepaid debit cards or gift cards.
• Ignore phone calls or emails from strangers urging you to invest in a hot new coronavirus stock.

What to do if you are a victim?

If you believe you have been a victim of a scam, please contact the Fremont Police Department at 510-790-6800. You can file a police report online and can find answers to many fraud/scam-related questions here.

If you would like to schedule a phone counseling appointment with HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program), please call 510-893-0393 or visit their website. Please be patient; there may be delays in response time.

Just like you wash your hands and use social distancing to stay safe during this unprecedented time, keep your eyes open to potential scams and don’t be a victim. The more you know, the more you can help yourself or someone you love.