The Centers for Diease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently warned older Americans about being scams related to the COVID-19 vaccine.
In the guide entitled “What Older Adults Should Know About COVID-19 Vaccines,” posted Feb. 19, the CDC said adults 65 and older – one of the first groups to qualify for the shot – are aware of it. should be that COVID-19 vaccines are “free” to those who live in the US
“If someone asks you to pay for vaccine access, you can bet it’s a scam,” the CDC said in the manual. “Do not share your personal or financial information if someone calls, texts, or e-mails you and promises you access to the vaccine for an additional fee.”
Although the vaccine is free, “your vaccination provider may bill your insurance for administering the vaccine,” noted the CDC. “No one can be refused a vaccine if they cannot afford these costs.”
MILLIONS OF FAKE N95 MASKS SHIPPED TO MULTIPLE STATES, SAYS FEDS
Since the beginning of COVID-19, scammers have used the pandemic to capitalize on Americans’ fears of making a quick buck. For example, last week, federal officials announced that they had seized some 11 million fake N95 masks as part of a federal investigation into the foreign-made fake actions distributed to hospitals, medical facilities and beyond in the United States. least five states. .
Since the pandemic started more than a year ago, federal officials have also seen an increase in fake websites claiming to sell vaccines as well as fake drugs produced abroad, they said.
In total, Homeland Security Investigations used its 7,000 agents, along with border officials, the Food and Drug Administration, and the FBI, to investigate the scam, seizing $ 33 million worth of fake products and arresting more than 200 people to date . The effort is based on the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center, a government watchdog dedicated to enforcing international trade laws and fighting intellectual property theft.
Additionally, in line with helping Americans protect themselves from scammers, the Better Business Bureau warned vaccine recipients earlier this month not to share their COVID-19 vaccination cards on social media.
The personal information from the cards, used to keep track of who has and has not been vaccinated, could be used by scammers to create and sell counterfeit cards, the BBB said at the time, citing reports of individuals in Britain who were caught selling fake cards on eBay and TikTok.
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“Unfortunately, your full name and date of birth is on your card, as well as information about where you got your vaccine,” the organization said. “If your social media privacy settings are not set high, you may be giving away valuable information that anyone can use.”
Lucas Manfredi and Fox Business’s Associated Press contributed to this report.