State's Attorney Warns about Fraud during Pandemic

Grand Isle County State's Attorney Doug DiSabito.

​By MIKE DONOGHUE
Islander Staff Writer

NORTH HERO -- Grand Isle County State’s Attorney Doug DiSabito urged local residents on Saturday to be on alert for possible scams, including people offering to help secure special payments from the government.
 
DiSabito told The Islander that since President Donald Trump’s recent  announcement about possible federal legislation to consider providing individuals with  $1,000 checks to help them through the COVID-19 health scare fraudsters have been at work.

He said the swindlers have been actively contacting people to ask them to provide their Social Security Number as well as other personal identifying information.
 
The imposters say they need this information in order to expedite the check for that individual, DiSabito said.  He said millennials are the most susceptible to this type of scam.

DiSabito said there are steps to take if you suspect your information inadvertently got shared, or that someone already has your identifiable information —like your Social Security number or bank account information. 
 
Impacted people should visit the Federal Trade Commission’s Identity Theft website to protect yourself from further harm and alert businesses that your identity has been compromised: www.identitytheft.gov
 
DiSabito urged residents of Grand Isle County in need of assistance or have questions about this fraud or other public safety issues to reach out to him.  He can be reached by email at doug.disabito@vermont.gov
 
The Islander will continue to update readers on safety concerns and steps they can take during this ongoing pandemic.

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