Sharing your COVID vaccination card on social media can make you vulnerable to identity theft, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) said.
People who are excited to get their vaccinations take selfies with the card and post it on Facebook, Instagram and other platforms
“Unfortunately, you have your full name and birthday on your card, as well as information on where you got your vaccine,” BBB said. “If your privacy settings on social media are not high, you may be providing valuable information to anyone you can use.”
According to the group, scammers in the UK were caught selling fake vaccination cards on eBay and TikTok.
‘It’s only a matter of time before similar disadvantages come to the United States and Canada. Posting photos of your card can help provide scammers with information they can use to create and sell counterfeits, ”BBB said.
It also gives you full name and date of birth out there, and scammers can use the information to try to commit identity theft scams.
If you still want to share the news that you have received a vaccine on social media, BBB says there are safe ways to do it.
First, rather than displaying the actual map, you can use a vaccine sticker or set a frame around your profile photo, he said.
If you want a selfie with your card, you can use your finger to cover your personal information, but you still show the card to scammers who may want to repeat what the vaccine cards look like.
Be wary of social media directions, not just about the vaccine, but other topics as well, BBB said.
“Sharing your vaccine photo is just the latest social trend. ‘Think twice before participating in other viral personal posts, such as mentioning all the cars you own, including favorite songs and factory years, and top 10 TV shows,’ ‘BBB said. “Some of these ‘favorite things’ are common passwords or security questions.”
And while you’re at it, review your security settings to see what you’re sharing and with whom on all your social media platforms.
“If you just want friends and family to see your posts, make sure your privacy settings are set,” he said.
You can report scams regardless of whether you have lost money to BBB.org/ScamTracker.
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Karin Price Mueller can be reached at [email protected].