Sharing your COVID vaccination card on social media can leave you vulnerable to identity theft, according to the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
People excited about getting their vaccines took selfies with the card and posted them on Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms
“Unfortunately, your card will show your full name and date of birth, as well as information about where you got your vaccine,” BBB said. “If your social media privacy settings are not set high, you may be giving away valuable information that can be used by anyone.”
The group said scammers in Britain were caught selling fake vaccination cards on eBay and TikTok.
“It’s only a matter of time before similar drawbacks come to the United States and Canada. By posting photos of your card, scammers can obtain information they can use to create and sell fake cards, ”said BBB.
It also lists your full name and date of birth, and scammers can use that information to try and commit identity theft.
If you still want to share the news that you got a vaccine on social media, BBB says there are safe ways to do it.
First, instead of showing the actual card, you can use a vaccine sticker or put a frame around your profile picture, it said.
If a selfie with your card is what you really want, you can use your finger to cover up your personal information, although you will still show the card to scammers who might want to replicate what vaccination cards look like.
And be on the lookout for social media questions not just about the vaccine, but other topics as well, BBB said.
“Sharing your vaccine photo is just the latest social trend. Think twice before participating in other viral personal messages, such as a list of all the cars you’ve owned – including make / model years – favorite songs and top 10 TV shows, ”said BBB. “Some of these ‘favorite things’ are commonly used passwords or security questions.”
And while you’re at it, check your security settings to see what you’re sharing and with whom on all of your social media platforms.
“If you only want friends and family to see your posts, make sure your privacy settings are configured this way,” it said.
You can report scams, whether you have lost money or not, at BBB.org/ScamTracker.
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Karin Price Mueller can be reached at [email protected].