Dupage Policy Journal

State Rep. Amy Grant (R-Wheaton) is warning Illinois residents about a flood of coronavirus scams that have crept to the surface as the number of government programs designed to help struggling Illinoisans continue to rise.

“Elderly people are particularly often the victims of this kind of thing,” Grant told the DuPage Policy Journal. “I’m reminding people to really be focused because there is a lot of confusion out there right now and it’s coming from pretty much everywhere you look.”

Among the scams Federal Trade Commission (FTC) authorities are especially alerting residents to be on guard for are scammers using robocalls to pitch different treatments for the virus, work-at-home schemes, online offers for vaccinations, home test kits, and texts or emails related to check payments from the government.

“I don’t know what others might be out there,” Grant added. “It’s really best to just stay on high alert for any kind of solicitations that seem to come from just nowhere.”

Grant said she is also keeping a close eye on the one issue that seems to have everyone’s attention as the effects of the virus continue to be felt.

“Everyone has questions and is trying to figure out where we go from here,” she said. “I really think more information needs to be given to justify all the restrictions we’re now facing and may not be going anywhere soon."

One question in particular Grant said she would like answered is how many people are actually hospitalized with the coronavirus.

“At this point, why would we not know that?” she added. “I think it would give us a lot more context for everything we find ourselves having to deal with.”