Some Georgians over the last few weeks received a disturbing text message on their phone. It told them they came into contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 and needed to be tested.

When they visited the website from the text, they were asked to enter personal information about bank accounts and passwords. The scam was one of many intended to capitalize on people’s fears and anxieties during the pandemic, according to Attorney General Chris Carr’s office.

Carr said his office was working with retailers to crack down on scammers and people overcharging for goods. The Georgia Consumer Protection Division said as early as mid-March they received multiple complaints about price gouging for food, toilet paper, water and hand sanitizer.

If someone is found guilty of price gouging, the fine can be up to $15,000.

The AG’s office recommended Georgians should be particularly careful about clicking links to foreign websites, and stay wary of sellers trying to profit off resources that have been made scarce from panic buying.

Carr said any reports of fraud should be made to the Consumer Protection Division by going to consumer.ga.gov.

GPB