With the COVID vaccine rollout, scammers have found new ways to take advantage of the pandemic and the confusion around when, how, and where people can sign for and receive the vaccine. Below are common scams and tips you can use to avoid falling for a COVID vaccine scam.
- Don’t pay to sign up for the COVID vaccine. Anyone who asks for payment to put you on a list, make an appointment for you, or reserve a spot in line is a scammer.
- You can’t pay to get early access to the vaccine. Beware of emails, letters, or calls stating that you can pay to gain early access to the vaccine.
- Do you use Medicare? If so, you don’t have to pay to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Beware of emails, letters, or calls that tell you otherwise. Contact your medical care provider for clarification.
- Ignore sales ads for the vaccine. The vaccine is not available for purchase. It’s only available at federal- and state-approved locations.
- Nobody legit will call, text, or email about the vaccine and ask for your Social Security, bank account, or credit card number. Access to the vaccine is not tied to releasing your personal or financial information.
When in doubt, contact your medical care provider for information on when, how, and where you can receive the vaccine. Stay alert and be vigilant when reading emails, letters and taking phone calls, and never give your personal or financial information. For details on recent identity theft and fraud scams or to report a possible scam, visit the Federal Trade Commission www.ftc.gov.
