Protection from Both COVID-19 and Scammers

Shipowners and seafarers should be aware of the risks when deciding on testing and PPE requirements and exercise caution when purchasing.

Test kits

Some countries have had great success in controlling the spread of COVID-19 by carrying out extensive testing. Furthermore, the recently released European Commission’s “Guidelines on protection of health, repatriation and travel arrangements for seafarers, passengers and other persons on board ships” recommends to its Member States that seafarers should be tested before joining a vessel. Add this to the strict vessel isolation or “quarantine” requirements imposed by many ports prior to berthing, it might be tempting to purchase a test kit for the vessel. However, questions remain on the reliability and suitability of the test kits available.

There are two types of test. The Virus test (or swab test) checks for presence of the genetic signature coronavirus. This tells whether an individual currently has COVID-19. The antibody test looks for the body’s immune response to the virus and can tell an individual if they have been previously exposed.

Rapid test-kits based on the antibody test are becoming increasingly available. However, there are concerns that allowing testing kits to be available on the free market will divert resources desperately needed for testing healthcare workers and those patients requiring hospitalisation. Also, some governments are currently advising against their use. For example, Public Health England warn:

• There is little information on the accuracy of the tests.
• There is little information on how a patient’s antibody response develops or changes during COVID-19 infection.
• It is not known whether either a positive or negative result is reliable.
• There is no published evidence about the suitability of these tests for diagnosing COVID-19 infection in a community setting.

Clinics can provide virus tests, which in theory can produce a result within several hours. However, this is dependent on waiting times, so be aware that in some cases, crew have waited a number of days before receiving their test result and during this time they must remain in isolation.

Personal Protective Equipment

It is likely that we will see an increase in the wearing of face masks and disposable gloves as countries’ lockdown measures are loosened. In some countries it may be a formal recommendation. But as things stand, keeping your distance from others remains your best defence in not only protecting yourself from COVID-19 but also to reduce the risk of passing it on to others. Wearing PPE does not mean you no longer have to practice social distancing. Keep your guard up.

Many of you have probably already received emails from companies offering deals on coronavirus PPE. The worldwide shortage of suitable PPE is clearly a potentially lucrative opportunity for some. It is important to be aware that some sellers could be:

• Scammers – the buyer pays for the goods, but they never arrive.
• Providing sub-standard equipment which offer inadequate protection.

ICC Warns of Scammers

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has warned of scammers exploiting the spread of the Coronavirus to carry out fraudulent activities and cyberthreats. The April 2020 edition of its IMB Commercial Crime International (CCI) Report highlights a number of attempts by fraudsters to exploit the current situation to their advantage. The UK’s National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) advise that most reports relate to online selling scams – in particular hand sanitiser and face masks which are never received.

There has also been a rise in coronavirus-related phishing messages, sent from parties purporting to be health authorities, tax officials, news providers and those offering investment opportunities to take advantage of the pandemic. Our eagerness for the latest information on COVID-19, coupled with wanting to help health authorities in setting up schemes to help track the spread of the virus can make us momentarily drop our guard and click on a link in a fraudster’s email or text message. Even more shocking are the reports from INTERPOL of fraudsters cold-calling and posing as hospitals or clinics demanding funds in order to treat loved ones or relatives.

Other scams include issuing of fraudulent invoices for medical testing services related to COVID-19, as reported by the International Transport Intermediaries Club (ITIC).

Keep your guard up!

While most of us are pulling together to support each other, remember that there are people out there seeking to profit from our fears and our desire to help.

Thanks to the ICC for allowing us to reproduce extracts from their article “Covid-19: Fraud reports soar as scammers exploit pandemic” in their April 2020 edition of ‘Commercial Crime International (CCI) Report’.