FILE - This Feb. 19, 2014, file photo shows the Facebook app icon on an iPhone in New York. Panic over what children are picking up over the Internet sweep social media on a regular basis. In the most recent, children are purportedly encouraged to complete harmful tasks. Though the so-called Momo challenge is believed to be a hoax, other “challenges” and trends should cause concern. (AP Photo/Karly Domb Sadof, File)
FILE - This Feb. 19, 2014, file photo shows the Facebook app icon on an iPhone in New York. Panic over what children are picking up over the Internet sweep social media on a regular basis. In the most recent, children are purportedly encouraged to complete harmful tasks. Though the so-called Momo challenge is believed to be a hoax, other “challenges” and trends should cause concern. (AP Photo/Karly Domb Sadof, File) Credit: Karly Domb Sadof

As if the coronavirus wasn’t enough, scammers are using the pandemic as a tool to defraud people, warns the federal prosecutor in New Hampshire.

U.S. Attorney Scott Murray of the district of New Hampshire relayed a warning Monday about a surge in scams and fraud attempts related to COVID-19.

“There are reports of fraudsters selling counterfeit products and fakes cures, or setting up malicious websites in order to take advantage of people who are attempting to protect themselves from the virus,” Murray said.

The public can report suspected fraud schemes by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud hotline (1-866-720-5721) or writing to disaster@leo.gov. The public also can report fraud to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.IC3.gov.

“With the outbreak of COVID-19, scammers have found a platform that preys on people’s fears and could make them more likely to be victimized,” said Joseph Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “We want you to avoid falling prey to these scams. So don’t click on links within emails from senders you don’t recognize, always independently verify the information originates from a legitimate source, never supply your login credentials or financial data in response to an email, and visit websites by inputting their domains manually.”

Some examples of the fraudulent schemes related to COVID-19 include:

■ Phishing emails – which pretend to be legitimate in order to obtain information or to plant malicious software – from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

■ Malicious websites and apps that appear to share coronavirus-related information to gain and lock access to your devices until payment is received.

■ Seeking donations fraudulently for illegitimate or non-existent charitable organizations.

■Medical providers obtaining patient information for COVID-19 testing and then using that information to fraudulently bill for other tests and procedures.

New Hampshire’s Coronavirus Fraud Coordinator is Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Hunter, who can be reached through the main number at the U.S. Attorney’s Office – 225-1552. To find more about U.S. Department of Justice resources and information, please visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus.