Warnings about COVID vaccine scams continue from government agencies and private cyber-security professionals.
The latest warning comes from the Federal Trade
Commission (FTC) about a scam COVID vaccine survey. The FTC says that it has
been receiving reports of people receiving emails and text messages asking them
to complete a limited-time survey about the COVID vaccine in exchange for a
free reward. To receive the reward, the potential victim is asked to pay
shipping fees. The emails/texts are phishing ploys to collect your personal
information.
Others have noted an increase in offerings on the dark
web of products such as fake “vaccine passports” for $250, fake negative
COVID-19 test results for as little as $25, and vaccines from AstraZeneca,
Sputnik (the COVID-19 vaccine developed in Russia), SINOPHARM (the COVID-19
vaccine developed in China), and Johnson and Johnson for between $500 to $1000 per
dose.
Checkpoint Software Technologies purchased a vaccine
for $750 in Bitcoin. The “vendor” claimed that it shipped the vaccine, then the
vendor disappeared off of the internet. Checkpoint analysts view such sales
more as scams to steal your money rather that vendors acquiring actual vaccines,
either through purchases or theft, to sell.
While this activity was found on the dark web, it does
point out the potential for scammers to contact anxious citizens who are eager
to receive the vaccine, or who may seek falsified documentation of being
vaccinated or of receiving a negative COVID-19 test. Throughout the pandemic agencies
such as the FTC have been reporting that scammers have been contacting people
via email, text, phone, or web advertising offering miracle COVID cures, or
help, for a fee, to receive a test or vaccine.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
reminds everyone that COVID-19 vaccines are free and that COVID-19 vaccine providers
cannot,
·
Charge you for the vaccine.
·
Charge you directly for any administration
fees, copays, or co-insurance.
·
Deny a vaccination to anyone who does not
have health insurance coverage, is underinsured, or is out of network.
·
Charge an office visit or other fee to the
recipient if the only service provided is a COVID-19 vaccination.
·
Require additional services in order for a
person to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
The FTC is also warning citizens that with the latest round
of stimulus payments, scammers are trying to get you to pay to receive your payment
or to receive your payment early. Remember,
1. The
government will not ask you to pay anything for your stimulus payment.
2. The
government will not ask you for your SSN, bank account or credit card number.
3. Only
scammers tell you to pay by money transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency.
Federal Trade Commission:
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2021/03/ignore-bogus-covid-vaccine-survey
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/media/avoid-covid-19-stimulus-payment-scams
Report scams to www.ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
For more information on Coronavirus scams go to www.FTC.gov/coronavirus
KIRO TV News:
Check Point Software Technologies:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html
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