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U.S. Justice Department Warns South Florida's

of Contact T racing Scams Monthly
Healthcare Newspaper

As part of their COVID-19 reopening plans, the fraudster can use that information to either
city and state health agencies are now using what drain a bank account or issue false claims to the PO Box 812708
is known as “contact tracing” as a key tool to government. Boca Raton, FL 33481-2708
slow the spread of COVID-19. Contact tracing No legitimate contact tracer will ever ask for a Phone: (561) 368-6950

involves the identification of people who have Social Security number or bank account informa-
come in contact with a person who has tested tion, or even ask for money. Website:
positive for the Coronavirus. After the contact The federal government is actively investigating www.southfloridahospitalnews.com
tracer interviews the person who has tested pos- fraud related to COVID-19 funding, with the U.S.
itive and obtains the names and phone numbers Justice Department announcing separate indict-
of those people with whom he or she has had ments around the country during July 2020 for CHARLES FELIX
recent in-person contact, the contact tracer will fraud involving COVID-19 programs. CAROL FELIX
Publishers
then call or text those people on their list, For persons who suspect that they have received
inform them that they have been exposed to a BY EDWARD A. a call from a scammer posing as a contact tracer NANCY LAMMIE
person who has tested positive for COVID-19, MEYER, ESQ. related to COVID-19, the Justice Department, Editor
and advise them to monitor their health for any Department of Health and Human Service and
of the COVID-19 symptoms and to quarantine Federal Trade Commission encourage that they JUDY GRAMM
themselves voluntarily for a period of time. report it to the National Center for Disaster Fraud at 866-720- Editorial Manager & Webmaster
The U.S. Justice Department has warned, however, that 5721 or online at www.Justice.gov/DisasterComplaintForm or
scammers are now posing as contact tracers to defraud unsus- ftc.gov/complaint. JMC GRAPHICS
pecting individuals. In addition, if a person believes they have given their Social Art/Production
As stated in a recent DoJ press release on the issue, “You may Security number, bank account information, or clicked a link lammienancy@aol.com
receive a call, email, text or visit from a contact tracer, and you from a scammer posing as a contact tracer, they should imme- 412-877-5321
should not hesitate to talk with them,” said Andrew Smith, diately contact their bank and credit card companies and take
Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “But, action to stop unauthorized use of their accounts. Credit mon- CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
beware if they ask you for money, bank account information, itoring companies also can provide assistance. Daniel Casciato
your Social Security number, or to click on a link, as those are Barbara Fallon
sure signs of a scam.” Edward Meyer, Esq., Healthcare Law Partners, LLC, can be Vanessa Orr
Once these fraudsters obtain a person’s Social Security num- reached at (530)313-3173 or EMeyer@HealthcareAttorney.net. Lois Thomson
ber, bank account information or get the person to click a link,

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Cleveland Clinic Florida Opens Florida Research IN SEPTEMBER

and Innovation Center TO REACH US

FOR
Cleveland Clinic Florida has opened the Florida Research and Innovation ADVERTISING
Center in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Established in November 2019, the new cen- OR EDITORIAL
ter will advance innovative translational research, focused on immuno-oncol-
ogy and infectious diseases, including COVID-19. Call (561) 368-6950
The Florida Research and Innovation Center will be closely integrated with or e-mail
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established in April 2020, which has brought together some of the world’s top
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to SARS-CoV-2 (which causes COVID-19) – and to expedite critically needed SUBSCRIPTIONS

treatments and vaccines. The researchers will also collaborate with drug devel-
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rapidly move discoveries out of the laboratory and into the clinic for patient Two Years $60
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The 107,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art research facility features modern Three Years $75
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and office space for support services on eight acres of land. Cleveland Clinic To subscribe,
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The Florida Research and Innovation Center will comple- All rights reserved. Reproduction
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ment and expand research underway at the Florida health permission prohibited. Copyright © 2020.
system’s five hospitals and the Lerner Research Institute,
which is home to 190 laboratories on Cleveland Clinic’s
main campus in Cleveland, Ohio. The scientific teams will
closely collaborate, tapping into resources at both facilities
to develop new treatments for patients around the globe. Don’t forget to include
The Florida Research and Innovation Center is headed by Scientific Director Michaela Gack, Ph.D., who joined Cleveland Clinic South Florida Hospital News
Florida in July 2020. Previously, she was a professor in the Department of Microbiology and chair of the Committee on & Healthcare Report
Microbiology at The University of Chicago in Chicago, Ill. Gack, a renowned virologist, has an extensive background in microbi-
ology and infectious disease. Her research focuses on the immune system’s response to viruses, an essential step in developing safe in your Marketing Plans
and effective antivirals and vaccines. She has also done extensive research on immune evasion by Dengue, Influenza and Zika Call Charles at 561-368-6950 for a Media Kit
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South Florida Hospital News southfloridahospitalnews.com August 2020 27