Editor's note: the following release was submitted by Jackson Co Sheriff Tim Morse

There are a multitude of Covid-19 scams that are currently being circulated around the country. However, one particular scam has surfaced in Jackson County. A few Jackson County residents have received Covid-19 scam robo calls. The scammers claim the individuals being called need to call a particular phone number about their Covid-19 test results. These scam calls play on the fears of individuals with the recent pandemic. Scammers phish for personal information including financial information. Do not fall prey to these scammers. Your local health department or your primary care physician will contact you directly by phone with results from any Covid-19 testing. Notifications will not be given via text messages or email.

It is important for the public to be alert and vigilant during this time. Scammers typically will play on the fears of individuals in order to acquire your personal information for the purpose of committing theft. Don’t take the bait.

Some other Covid-19 scams include human contact tracing scams. These scams occur when the scammer contacts an unsuspecting person either through the internet or by phone. The scammer will tell the victim that they have come into contact with someone who has Covid-19 symptoms, and will require further personal information from them.

Don’t click on links from sources you don’t know. Ignore online offers for vaccinations. If you want to donate to any organization, do your homework first and don’t rush into making a donation. If anyone asks for a donation in cash, gift card, or wire transfer, don’t do it.

Beware of emails from scammers pretending to be agents of Centers for Disease Control or other public organizations. No legitimate medical provider will ask for sensitive information through email. Beware of calls or emails from those claiming to be from the U.S. Treasury offering Covid-19 related grants or stimulus payments in exchange for personal financial information.

Also, there have been scams for expedited stimulus checks and phony business loan sites. Another scam that has occurred across the country is scammers claiming to be selling hard to get medical supplies. The buyer sends payment and never receives the product. There are also scammers who claim to be medical personnel who are demanding payment for testing, and for treatment that a family member has received.

Scammers are nothing more than thieves who prey on the unsuspecting and vulnerable. Don’t become the next victim. Report scams to your law enforcement agency.