Monrovia City Manager Warns Against COVID-19 Scams

InWednesday’s City Manager’s Update, Monrovia residents were warned that severalcoronavirus tracking and mapping sites are actually malware websites. Insteadof clicking on these links, cybersecurity experts advise to hover over the linkto verify the uniform resource locator (URL) before moving forward. Online hackersmay also send emails from fraudulent accounts impersonating official websitesand doctors, or offering medical supplies and services. 

Atrusted COVID-19 mapping resource is the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Global Map,which can be found at coronavirus.jhu.edu. Accurate,up-to-date information on COVID-19 can be also be found at:

• Countyof Los Angeles.
• County of Los Angeles Public Health.
• CaliforniaDepartment of Public Health.
• Centersfor Disease Control and Prevention.
• City of Monrovia.

Asresidents continue to practice “Safer at Home” directives, scammersare also taking advantage by reaching out door-to-door asking for donations andfundraising contributions through cash, Bitcoin, or Paypal, according to thecity manager.

Thefollowing is a list of safety tips to follow:

• Avoidonline advertising offers related to COVID-19. 
• Declinedoor-to-door solicitations claiming COVID-19 fundraising. 
• Donot click on emails and attachments that you do not recognize.
• Visittrusted websites for COVID-19 related information.