While most of us await the COVID vaccine, scammers posing as health officials are using it as bait in scams to steal our money and data via fishy emails, calls, texts, or even visits to our homes. The Better Business Bureau, FBI and Department of Health have all issued warnings about these scams—and if anybody is calling you about a test or to get you on a vaccine wait list, it’s a scam.
How the scam works
While the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says the fraud is “rapidly evolving,” it invariably targets your money and personal information (which is used to fraudulently bill federal health care programs and commit identity theft).
The latest COVID-related scam capitalizes on confusion around the vaccine rollout. Scammers posing as health officials will ask you to pay out of pocket for the vaccine or register you for a fraudulent vaccine “wait list.” Texts or emails might take you to a phony application with a “request benefit payments” page meant to trick you into providing your personal information. If you’re contacted by robocalls, email, or text messages mentioning the vaccine, don’t interact with them in any way. Neither should you click on links in texts or emails, which can contain malware.
“Scammers are really starting to prey on peoples’ hope to get a vaccine soon and quick, which probably isn’t realistic for most people right now,” says Sean Herdrick, a communications director at the Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona, in a local ABC interview.
There is no way to secure “early access” to the vaccine (and most states are preoccupied with vaccinating frontline workers at this time). Moreover, you are not required to give your social security number or bank account information for any reason related to the COVID vaccine. According to the CDC, vaccine doses will be given to the American people at no cost, although some vaccination providers might charge an administration fee.
Beware of unsolicited contact
Remember to look for information about the vaccine rollout only through your local health department (as vaccine programs vary by state), your doctor, and the Centers for Disease Control, which has some information on what to expect for vaccination here. If you’re curious about your place in the vaccine line (at least, as it stands right now), check out the tool found in this ABC news story.
The surge in scams is not limited to the vaccines, but also other COVID-related programs like relief checks and contact tracing. Scammers have taken advantage of the fact that these programs are new and require some interaction with government agencies. Either way, be wary of unsolicited contacts, and protect your personal information.
If you’ve spotted a scam (whether or not you’ve lost money), report it to BBB.org/ScamTracker. If you believe you have been the victim of COVID-related fraud, report it immediately to the FBI (ic3.gov, or 1-800-CALL-FBI) or HHS OIG (tips.hhs.gov or 1-800-HHS-TIPS).