WASHINGTON–The FBI is warning against another type of fraud stemming from the coronavirus pandemic.
After earlier warning of the security risks presented by so many employees working remotely from home, the Bureau’s Office of Private Sector has issued a new report warning employers they should be on the lookout for fake doctors notes and falsified documentation from employees claiming positive COVID-19 test results.
“The Bureau report warned that the steps a company must take to stop business operations and sanitize workspaces could lead to significant financial loss,” noted CNN.
As one example, CNN said the FBI report described an incident in March where an employee working for an unidentified "critical manufacturing company" told their bosses they had tested positive for COVID-19 and submitted what appeared to be documentation from a medical facility.
Facility Shut Down
"In response, the company shut down the affected manufacturing facility to disinfect the location, ceasing production and halting delivery of necessary materials to the plant," CNN quoted the FBI report as stating. "The company notified all employees at the facility, including four workers who had close contact with the reportedly infected employee and were required to self-quarantine."
CNN noted that upon subsequent close review of the employee's medical documentation, supervisors became suspicious, as the letter indicating the positive COVID-19 testing was not on official letterhead from a medical facility. A call to a telephone number listed on the documentation also revealed the number was not actually associated with a location that conducted novel coronavirus testing at the time the letter was written.
In total, the FBI estimates the victim company incurred over $175,000 in lost productivity due to the alleged scam, CNN reported. In addition, one coworker of the alleged scammer, believing they had been exposed to the virus, also faced personal financial loss after deciding to pay for a rental property where they could remain self-quarantined away from members of their family.
Recommendations Made
The FBI is recommending:
- Employers contact medical providers listed on work excuse documents in order to confirm their veracity
- Supervisors should take note of inconsistencies in font and spacing, or signs a document has been computer edited
- Companies should review legitimate excuse letters healthcare providers have previously given to employees, in order to be aware of the typical format and structure used by medical providers