VERIFY: Links in contact tracer text

messages don't take you to

legitimate site
The FTC warns clicking on a link could download
malware on your device.

WASHINGTON — QUESTION:

Are text messages about being in contact with someone who's tested
positive real and what happens if you click the link for more
information?

ANSWER:

No, they are not real and clicking links may result in malware being
:
 downloaded on your device.

SOURCE:

Federal Trade Commission

PROCESS:

Contact tracing is the process of identifying people who have come in

contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, telling
them to quarantine and monitoring their symptoms daily.

There are texts messages warning, “someone who came in contact

with you tested positive for COVID-19” and it says click here for more
information.

Our source for this one is the Federal Trade Commission.

It says contact tracing plays a vital role in helping to stop the spread of
COVID-19 and contact tracers are usually hired by a state’s department
of public health.

Andrew Smith is the Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer

Protection and he says, “You may receive a call, email, text or visit from
a contact tracer, and you should not hesitate to talk with them.”

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Smith said, “But beware if they ask you for money, bank account
information, your Social Security number, or to click on a link, as those
are sure signs of a scam.”
:
 The FTC warns clicking on a link could download malware onto your
device.

So, we can Verify, False, contact tracer text messages asking you to
click a link are not real.

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real

So how do you know if someone is really trying to get in touch with

you about contact tracing?

Our Verify team reached out to the DC, Maryland and Virginia health
departments

The DC Health Department says a contact tracer will CALL you about
the exposure and they’ll ask for demographic, health and household
information.

Residents contacted via a landline number (personal or business) have

Caller Name enabled by default, and will always be able to see the
Caller Name “DC COVID19 TEAM” when they receive a call from the DC
Health Contact Tracing team.

Mobile subscribers may receive Caller ID services only if they have

opted-in to a premium paid service provided by the carrier. Other
mobile subscribers will see the number (202) 442-9290
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 DC residents who test positive for COVID-19 may receive a text from
the DC Health Contact Tracing team reading: "Hi, the DC COVID19
Team tried to reach you. We will attempt to call you back from +1 (202)
442-9290. We would appreciate if you could answer or return our call."

Maryland contract tracers are also reaching out to people by phone

only and it says the Caller ID shows up as “MD COVID.”

If you don’t’ have Caller ID, look for the number (240) 466-4488.

In Maryland, contact tracers will ask you to verify your date of birth,
address, and any other phone numbers you may have.

And the Virginia Department of Health says contact tracers make initial
contact by telephone and the Caller ID reads “VDH COVID TEAM.”

Contact tracers will leave a message asking for the contact to return
their missed call and will provide their VDH-issued cell phone number.

VDH contact tracers will always identify themselves and state their
affiliation and purpose for calling and while they may use text
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 messaging, the preferred method of contact is a phone call.

VDH contact tracers have VDH e-mail accounts and any e-mail
communications from a contact tracer will come from an e-mail
address ending in "@vdh.virginia.gov".

Contact tracers are trained not to include any protected health

information (PHI) in e-mail communications unless the e-mail is
encrypted.

Contact tracers will offer to enroll Virginians in a voluntary contact

monitoring platform called Sara Alert, which individuals can use to
update local health departments on their health status during the
period of time they are participating in public health monitoring.

The Sara Alert system is secure and always contacts users from the
same phone number or email: 844-957-2721 or
notifications@saraalert.org.

The DC, Maryland and Virginia health departments said its contact
tracers will never ask for your social security number, immigration
status, banking information passwords, money or payment.
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