As the coronavirus spreads across the globe, scammers and unsavory businesses are ready to take advantage of the fear and uncertainty.

They use the headlines to steal your money.

Don’t be a victim.

Here are four scams to watch out for as the world comes to grips with coronavirus.

1. Price gouging

While New Jersey and other states have laws to protect consumers from price gouging — when businesses raise prices more than 10 percent on products that are in great demand during an emergency — disreputable sellers will try to take advantage of consumer desperation.

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It’s already happening on Amazon.com as consumers shop for face masks to protect themselves from the virus.

Amazon has warned merchants not to raise prices too high, according to published reports.

The online seller has threatened merchants that product listings that are “not in compliance” with Amazon’s pricing policies could see the listings removed, and the merchants could be booted from the site completely.

Amazon has also removed listings from sellers who claim their products are “a treatment, cure or remedy for the coronavirus,” published reports said.

Other “sellers” are setting up fake websites to sell bogus products, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). They also use fake emails, texts and social media posts to take your money for products that don’t exist, and they steal your personal information to use in future scams.

2. False vaccine offers

While pharmaceutical companies and government researchers are working on vaccines for coronavirus, a vaccine does not yet exist.

That means you should ignore any offers for vaccinations.

They might come in an email or in a phone call.

Be especially wary of calls that come from someone claiming to work for Medicare or your health insurance company.

"This is Medicare calling and you need to get on the list for a coronavirus vaccine,” a caller might say. “Just give us your credit card number to reserve your spot."

Others are posing as officials from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) or the World Health Organization (WHO), and they try to fool people into giving up their personal information.

There are no vaccine waiting lists. There is no vaccine yet. And no legitimate health authority will call you and ask for your personal information.

3. Fake charities

Hucksters especially love when something big happens. Think Superstorm Sandy.

There’s no doubt fake charities will start asking for money to help those who have contracted the virus and their families.

If you receive an email from a purported charity, use caution. Don’t click on links in the email, which could download a virus onto your computer.

Consider carefully before you give money to anyone you don’t know or anyone who reaches out to you. If you want to give, research online for the legitimate phone number or website of the charity. And be sure to check out the charity on sites like Charity Navigator and GuideStar.

4. Watch out for “investment opportunities”

Tricksters are trying to get people to “invest” in companies that claim to have products or services that will be used to help fight the coronavirus.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said it has become aware of online promotions, including on social media, claiming certain publicly-traded companies can prevent, detect, or cure coronavirus, and that the stock of these companies will dramatically increase in value as a result.

“The promotions often take the form of so-called `research reports’ and make predictions of a specific `target price,’” the SEC said. “We urge investors to be wary of these promotions, and to be aware of the substantial potential for fraud at this time.”

Microcap stocks are especially vulnerable and used for “pump and dump” schemes, SEC said.

Have you been Bamboozled? Reach Karin Price Mueller at Bamboozled@NJAdvanceMedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @KPMueller. Find Bamboozled on Facebook. Mueller is also the founder of NJMoneyHelp.com. Stay informed and sign up for NJMoneyHelp.com’s weekly e-newsletter.