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The Centers for Diease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently warned older Americans of scams involving the COVID-19 vaccine.
In the guide titled “What Older Adults Need to Know About COVID-19 Vaccines,” released Feb. 19, the CDC said adults 65 and older – one of the first groups eligible to receive the vaccine – should know that COVID -19 vaccines are “free” for those living in the United States
“If someone asks you to pay for access to the vaccine, you can bet it’s a scam,” the CDC said in the guide. “Do not share your personal or financial information if someone calls you, texts or emails you promising to access the vaccine for an additional fee.”
Although the vaccine is free, “your vaccination provider may bill your insurance for administering the vaccine,” the CDC noted. “No one can be denied a vaccine if they cannot afford that cost.”
MILLIONS OF Fake N95 MASKS SHIPPED TO SEVERAL STATES, SAYS THE FEDERATION
Since the onset of COVID-19, crooks have used the pandemic to take advantage of Americans’ fears to make a quick buck. Last week, for example, federal officials announced that they had seized some 11 million fake N95 masks as part of a federal investigation into foreign-made knockoffs that were distributed to hospitals, medical facilities and the – beyond in at least five states. .
Since the pandemic began over a year ago, federal officials have also seen an increase in fake websites claiming to sell vaccines, as well as fake drugs produced overseas, they said.
Overall, Homeland Security Investigations used its 7,000 agents, along with border officials, the Food and Drug Administration and the FBI, to investigate the scams, seizing $ 33 million in fake products and arresting more than 200 people. nowadays. The effort is based at the National Coordinating Center for Intellectual Property Rights, a government watchdog aimed at enforcing international trade laws and combating theft of intellectual property.
Additionally, to help Americans protect themselves from fraudsters, the Better Business Bureau earlier this month warned those vaccinated to avoid sharing their COVID-19 vaccination cards on social media.
The personal information of the cards, which are used to find out who has been vaccinated and who has not been vaccinated, can be used by crooks to create and sell imitation cards, the BBB said at the time, citing reports of individuals in Britain who have been arrested. sell fake cards on eBay and TikTok.
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“Unfortunately, your card has your full name and date of birth on it, as well as information on where you got your vaccine,” the organization said. “If your social media privacy settings are not set high, you can give out valuable information to anyone.”
Lucas Manfredi of Fox Business and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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