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

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

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Fraudsters are promising early access to vaccines or even a personal shipment of vaccines – at a cost, of course. But their offers are not legitimate, and those they cheat can end up with their exposed personal information and stolen money without ever receiving the vaccine.

Conclusion: If you send a communication about vaccines that look suspicious, check with your local health department. Do not provide personal information, such as your bank account information or Social Security number, when asked by someone you do not know – no health department or vaccination location would require this information in order for you to be vaccinated. And you should only be vaccinated at authorized vaccination sites.

You will not have to pay to receive the Covid-19 vaccine when it is your turn. If you are asked to pay or provide private information, this is not legitimate.

If your loved one is hesitant to get the Covid-19 vaccine, share this
You should only receive the Covid-19 vaccine at authorized vaccination sites, such as hospitals, pharmacies or mass vaccination centers, such as sports stadiums. If you are not sure where to find your local vaccination site, you can search for them by state at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
It is possible that the vaccine supplier will charge a “administration fee” to deliver the vaccine. You can be reimbursed for this fee through your insurance or, if you are not insured, through the Health Resources and Services Administration Provider Assistance Fund, according to the CDC. If you are unable to pay the fee, however, you will not be rejected.

HIT: You have early access for a fee

If you receive an offer to get your Covid-19 vaccine in advance for a fee, ignore it. No health department or vaccination facility would vaccinate someone ahead of schedule if they paid for it.

The FBI warned of this scam in December 2020, and Better Business Bureau scam tracker reports show that unknown scammers sent unsolicited texts to random users, offering them access to the vaccine, regardless of where in the vaccination schedule they fit. .

HIT: You said to pay to put your name on a waiting list

As mentioned above, the local health department or vaccination site will not contact you and request that the payment be placed on a waiting list. Some vaccination centers in New York, Houston and Miami have created waiting lists – mainly for seniors who are eligible to receive their vaccines now, but have failed to make an appointment – but vary by location.
Some were more fortunate to show up at vaccination sites later in the day in search of leftover vaccines. But if locals have extra vaccines that must be used within a few hours, you won’t have to pay for them.
The Pfizer and Moderna Covid-19 vaccines are now available to some Americans. But if you get the vaccine early for a price, it's probably a scam.

HIT: You are asked to schedule appointments through unverified platforms

These 'vaccine hunters' are getting their injections ahead of schedule, manipulating the system

Unless you are sure that your local health department is scheduling vaccination appointments at Eventbrite or similar platforms, you should avoid registering on sites not affiliated with your health department or pharmacy.

Some counties are using Eventbrite to schedule vaccination appointments, but the ambiguity has made it easier for scammers to profit. In a Florida county, where health officials did it no With the use of Eventbrite, scammers made fake accounts and charged candidates to schedule vaccines in the county anyway.

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

HIT: You said to pay for the vaccine to be sent to you

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

HIT: You must do additional tests before receiving a vaccine

You will not be required to have an antibody test or Covid-19 before receiving your vaccine, so if you receive text messages, calls or emails saying that you should buy a test before you go, this is a scam. As reported by CNET and AARP, you do not need to undergo any additional medical tests before or during your vaccination appointment.

How to avoid being cheated

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

It is best to contact your doctor directly to obtain the facts, rather than just interacting with an unknown person by email or text. A legitimate source is unlikely to ask you to pay for a vaccine or visit a problematic link.

If an unknown source asks for your Social Security number, bank account information or insurance identity, do not provide it to them unless you have verified your identity with an official source, such as your health department or health provider.

There are a few places where you can report vaccine scams:

  • ReportFraud.ftc.gov from Federal Trade Commissions, which shares information with authorities
  • FBI guidance line, at tips.fbi.gov or 1-800-CALL-FBI
  • HHS Inspector General’s Office at tips.hhs.gov or 1-800-HHS-TIPS
  • Better Business Bureau scam tracker

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