6 coronavirus vaccine scams that target your money and personal information – and what you need to do about it

6 coronavirus vaccine scams that target your money and personal information – and what you need to do about it

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Fraudsters promise early access to vaccines or even a personal load of vaccines – of course at a cost. But their offers are not legal, and those who cheat on them can expose their personal information and steal money without ever getting the vaccine.

In short: if you are receiving information about vaccines that look fishy, ​​consult your local health department. Do not give out personal information such as your bank account information or social security number if you request someone you do not know – no health department or vaccination site needs the information to get you vaccinated. And you should only be vaccinated on authorized vaccination sites.

You do not have to pay to receive the Covid-19 vaccine if it is your turn. If you are asked to pay or provide private information, it is not legal.

Share it if your loved one is hesitant to get the Covid-19 vaccine
You should only receive a Covid-19 vaccine at authorized vaccination centers such as hospitals, pharmacies or massage centers such as sports areas. If you are not sure where to find the local vaccination site, you can look it up through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
It is possible that your vaccine provider will charge you an ‘administration fee’ for the opportunity. You may be reimbursed this fee by your insurance, or, if you are not insured, by the Health Resources and Services Administration Assistant Fund, according to the CDC. However, if you can not afford the fee, you will not be turned down.

CHEATS: You are offered early access for a fee

If you receive an offer to get your Covid-19 vaccine early for a fee, you should ignore it. No health department or vaccination site will vaccinate anyone ahead of schedule if they pay for it.

The FBI warned about this scam in December 2020, and reports from the Better Business Bureau’s Scam Tracker show that unknown scammers sent unsolicited texts to random users, giving them access to the vaccine, no matter where they fall into the vaccination schedule. .

CHEATS: You are being asked to pay to put your name on a waiting list

As mentioned above, your local health department or vaccination address will not contact you and ask that the payment be placed on a waiting list. Some vaccination sites in New York, Houston, and Miami have compiled waiting lists – mostly for seniors who are eligible to receive their vaccinations now but have not yet been able to get an appointment – but this varies by location.
Some are better off showing up at the end of the day for vaccinations in search of remaining vaccines. But if websites have extra vaccines that need to be used within a few hours, you will not be asked to pay for them.
The Pfizer and Modern Covid-19 vaccines are now available to some Americans. But if your early vaccination is offered at a price, it's probably a scam.

CHEATS: You are asked to schedule appointments on unverified platforms

These 'vaccine hunters' keep their shots ahead of schedule by playing the system

Unless you are sure that your local health department is planning to vaccinate vaccines on Eventbrite or similar platforms, you should not register on websites that are not affiliated with your health department or pharmacy.

Some provinces use Eventbrite to plan vaccine retrenchments, but the ambiguity has made it easier for scammers to make money. In one Florida county where health officials did it. not using Eventbrite, scammers made fake accounts and charged applicants with making vaccinations in the country.

It is best to schedule an appointment through your health department or local pharmacy.

CHEATS: You are told to pay to send the vaccine to you

Vaccine distributors do not send doses of the vaccine to individuals, and you should not administer the vaccine to yourself. You should only receive a vaccine at authorized vaccination sites, which can be obtained through your state health department or the CDC.

CHEATS: You need to take extra tests before you get a vaccine

You will not take an antibody test or a Covid-19 test before receiving your vaccination, so if you receive text messages, calls or emails claiming to buy a test before you go, it is’ a scam. As reported by CNET and AARP, you do not need to undergo any additional medical tests before or during your vaccination.

How to prevent cheating

Staying vigilant and informed is the best way to prevent scammers from gaining access to your money or private information.

It is best to contact your healthcare provider directly to obtain the facts, rather than just communicating with an unknown person via email or SMS. It is unlikely that a legitimate source will ask you to pay for a vaccine or visit a faulty link.

If an unknown source asks for your social security number, bank account information or insurance ID, do not give it to them unless you have confirmed their identity with an official source, such as your health department or healthcare provider.

There are a few places where you can report the vaccine fraud:

  • The Federal Trade Commissions’ ReportFraud.ftc.gov, which shares information with law enforcement
  • The FBI’s tipline, at tips.fbi.gov or 1-800-CALL-FBI
  • The Office of the Inspector General of the HHS, at tips.hhs.gov or 1-800-HHS-TIPS
  • The Better Business Bureau’s Scam

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