Be Aware of COVID Scammers

Danny Tengan, HCUCC Disaster Ministries Coordinator, reminds us to stay vigilant and to be aware of scammers exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic:

Federal health and law enforcement agencies have issued tips for consumers to protect themselves against COVID-19 vaccine scams by recognizing red flags of potential fraud, including:

• You are asked to pay out of pocket to get the vaccine.

• You are asked to pay to put your name on a vaccine waiting list or to get early access.

• You see advertisements or receive come-ons for vaccines through social media, email, telephone calls, online or from unsolicited or unknown sources.

• Marketers offer to sell or ship doses of the vaccine for payment.

Do not respond to any of these types of solicitations. If you are contacted, do not give out personal information to unknown sources.

The scams involve unsolicited emails, texts or voicemails purporting to make the vaccine available immediately. The recipients of these come-ons all recognized them as fraud attempts and did not click on any texted or emailed links (which likely would have been malicious), return the phone calls or lose any money.

If you believe you have been the victim of COVID-19 fraud, report it to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (1-877-696-6775​), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (1-800-CALL-FBI / 225-5324), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or the U.S. Department of Justice.