Tips to Avoid COVID-19 Vaccine Related Scams

  • Don’t pay to sign up for the vaccine. Anyone who asks for a payment to put you on a list, make an appointment for you, or reserve a spot in line is a scammer.
  • Ignore sales ads for the COVID-19 vaccine. You can’t buy it – anywhere, including online pharmacies.  The vaccine is only available at federal- and state-approved locations, such as vaccination centers and pharmacies.
  • Don’t share your personal, financial, or health information with people you don’t know. No one from a vaccine distribution site, health care provider’s office, pharmacy, health insurance company or Medicare, will call, text, or email you asking for your Social Security, credit card, or bank account number to sign you up to get the vaccine.
  • Watch for unexpected or unusual texts. Don’t click on links in text messages, especially messages you didn’t expect.  If your healthcare provider or pharmacist has used text messages to contact you in the past and you get a text claiming it is from your healthcare provider, call your doctor or pharmacist directly to make sure they sent the text.  Scammers are texting, too.
  • Don’t open emails, attachments, or links from people you don’t know, or that come unexpectedly. You could download dangerous malware onto your computer or phone.

For more information visit:  www.fcc.gov/covid-19-vaccines-scams