![Health Officials Warning About COVID-19 Texting Scam](https://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2020/05/GettyImages-1206926169.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Health Officials Warning About COVID-19 Texting Scam
ST. PAUL -- The Minnesota Department of Health is warning of a texting scam regarding contact tracing for COVID-19.
Health officials have been using contact tracing to identify people that have been around someone who has tested positive for the virus to help minimize the spread, but Infectious Disease Division Director Kris Ehresmann says scammers have started to take advantage of the process.
Scammers are sending texts that tell the recipient that someone with whom they had contact has tested positive and to click a link for more information. Depending on the specific attack, by clicking on the link the victim could be prompted to download unwanted software that can access data on their phone, or they may be directed to a site that tries to trick them into revealing sensitive information.
Ehresmann says all state and local public health workers will begin the process with a phone call. She says if you receive a text message before you get such a phone call, you should delete it immediately.
She also says its important never to give out sensitive information such as your social security number, passwords, or bank information unless you have verified the identity of the person asking for it.
![AM 1240 WJON logo](https://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2021/11/attachment-wjonam-alexacard-big.jpg?w=100)
Central Minnesota's Oldest Home On The Market
More From AM 1240 WJON
![A New Scam Impacts Sherburne County Resident](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2022/05/attachment-computer-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Recalled Cantaloupe Makes Five Minnesotans Sick](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2012/08/cantaloupe.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Fruit Pouches Being Recalled Nationwide Due to Lead](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/11/attachment-WanaBana_1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Waite Park Police Issue Scam Warning](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2019/05/scam.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Facebook Contest Involving WJON Personality Is a Scam](http://townsquare.media/site/717/files/2021/03/RS20623_GettyImages-953210670.jpeg?w=980&q=75)
![Boys and Girls Clubs Offering New Reading and Math Programming](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2021/02/DSC05326.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Blaine Man Charged in Feeding Our Future Fraud Scheme](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2020/09/Courtroom.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Reasons Why COVID Can Be Worse on Some and Not Others](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2021/12/attachment-Coughing.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Why More People in Central MN are Getting the Latest Version of COVID](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2021/12/attachment-Coughing.jpg?w=980&q=75)