I don’t know about all of you, but I saw some photos of friends’ vaccination cards in my social media feeds. I can’t say exactly how many – because, frankly, I forgot –but I can say that every time I saw one, it generated a mixed reaction. On the one hand, I was thrilled that my friends who were posting, many of whom are health professionals or educators, I have a vaccine. Another part of me felt restless, however. Posting a photo with personal and vaccine information seemed like a bad idea.
Apparently, the Federal Trade Commission shares my discomfort. In a blog on the subject posted on Friday, the agency severely stated that social media is no place to share its covid-19 vaccination cards. It is smoothly punished people who were celebrating their second dose of covid-19-The current vaccines approved in the United States requires two injections – with “the dizzying enthusiasm that is usually reserved for weddings, babies and other life events”.
I totally think that people have the right to be happy that they received the vaccine. This pandemic was terrible and devastating. And honestly, if you’ve already had the vaccine, I’m really happy for you and I hope you feel a little more at ease. However, a commemorative image is not worth the problems it may generate in the future.
“Please do not do that! You may be inviting identity theft, ”wrote Seena Gressin of the FTC, a lawyer in the agency’s consumer and business education division.
As explained by the agency, covid-19 The vaccination card contains important information about you, such as your full name, date of birth, the place where you received the vaccine and when you received it. Posting this on social media is like giving malicious actors something they’re looking for.
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Gressin likened identity theft to a puzzle, which is made up of pieces of your personal information. You don’t want to give identity thieves what they need to finish the puzzle, she said.
“One of those pieces is your date of birth,” said Gressin. “For example, just knowing their date and place of birth, scammers can sometimes guess most of the digits in their Social Security number. Once identity thieves have the pieces they need, they can use the information to open new accounts in your name, apply for tax refunds for themselves and get involved in another identity theft. “
Another concern, as noted by the New York Times, is that vaccine cards can be falsified by people who have not had the vaccine or who have no plans to do so to gain access to jobs, restaurants or events. A December report at the UK outlet, The Sun, stated that some people were already selling fake vaccination cards on TikTok.
Worse, the Times says scammers can even use the information to induce people to pay for the second dose of their vaccine or for any future booster doses. In the US, vaccines purchased by the government are given free of charge, although the vaccination provider may charge an administrative fee to give the vaccine to someone, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The list of possible falls from an innocent photo can go on indefinitely.
This does not mean that government officials and experts are saying that you cannot post any photos about this important moment on social media. However, they do have a suggestion: take a picture of the vaccine stickers distributed on some websites. Or the bandage in your injection arm. According to the FTC, the latter gives you the opportunity to “show off your tattoos and deltoids at the same time”.
I personally like the sticker. And hey, we already have experience in making rock selfies with “I Vote” stickers. Do this with the vaccine “I have my Covid-19 vaccine!” stickers will be a walk in the park.
It is better to be safe than to repent.