How to Avoid COVID-19 Vaccine Scams
Scammers are taking advantage of the COVID-19 vaccination release, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The FDA released several warning letters to companies attempting to sell illegitimate products.
Be aware of the warning signs of vaccination scams.
Here’s what you should know:
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You cannot pay to put your name on a vaccination waiting list.
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You cannot pay to receive the vaccine early.
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Offers for home vaccinations are illegitimate.
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Legitimate sources will not call, text or email you about the vaccine and ask for personal information such as your social security number (SSN), Medicare number, home address, bank account numbers, or credit card numbers.
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Calls, texts, emails and websites dedicated to early vaccine access are not legitimate.
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At the time of publication, there are only three FDA-approved and recommended COVID-19 vaccines (there are two others in trial phases):
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Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine
If you suspect a scam, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
If you receive the vaccine, do not post a photo of your vaccination card on social media. Your vaccination card will include sensitive information like your full name, birthday and vaccination location. Even if you have private accounts, assume that everything on the internet is public. Sharing the sensitive information on your card could make you vulnerable to identity theft.
There are a number of ways to safely sign up for the vaccine:
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Visit the CDC’s VaccineFinder website.
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Find out if you are eligible, as well as your eligibility tier, by visiting your state’s Department of Health website.
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You may also be able to register for the vaccine through your municipal health department.
For more information about the vaccine, visit the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Vaccine webpage.
About the National Association of Insurance Commissioners
As part of our state-based system of insurance regulation in the United States, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) provides expertise, data, and analysis for insurance commissioners to effectively regulate the industry and protect consumers. The U.S. standard-setting organization is governed by the chief insurance regulators from the 50 states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories. Through the NAIC, state insurance regulators establish standards and best practices, conduct peer reviews, and coordinate regulatory oversight. NAIC staff supports these efforts and represents the collective views of state regulators domestically and internationally.