Authorities Warn of COVID-19 Vaccine-Related Scams

Officials in Pasadena, as well as those at the county and federal levels, are warning the public to be wary of opportunistic con artists hoping to cash in on scams related to the ongoing distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.

The scammers prey upon peoples’ fear of the virus and eagerness to receive vaccination against it, according to the FBI.

“The FBI, the [U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General], and [the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services] have received complaints of scammers using the public’s interest in COVID-19 vaccines to obtain personally identifiable information and money through various schemes,” according to a statement issued by the FBI on Monday. “We continue to work diligently with law enforcement partners and the private sector to identify cyber threats and fraud in all forms.”

City officials in Pasadena and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health have echoed the warning.

As of Tuesday, vaccines were being administered only to health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities, according to the L.A. County Department of Public Health.

“If someone offers to sell you the COVID-19 vaccine or a chance to get vaccinated before it’s your turn, it’s a SCAM,” county officials said via social media. The vaccine will be distributed to all county residents at no cost, officials added.

According to the FBI, signs of a potential scam include offers for early access to vaccinations for a fee; requests for payment for a vaccine or to be placed on a purported vaccine waiting list; offers of additional testing or medical procedures while getting a vaccine; unsolicited phone calls or emails asking for medical information as part of a vaccine trial or to obtain the vaccine; contacts from people claiming to be government officials claiming vaccination is required; and any claim that a vaccine has been approved by the FDA that cannot be verified.

Residents were urged to obtain information, as well as vaccines, through their local health departments to avoid any scammers, and consult their primary physicians before getting any vaccination. Up-to-date information on approved vaccines is posted on the FDA’s website at www.fda.gov.

“Don’t share your personal or health information with anyone other than known and trusted medical professionals,” according to the FBI statement.

Anyone who believes they may have been victimized by a COVID-19 vaccination scam can report it to the FBI online at ic3.gov, tips.fbi.gov, or by phone at (800)-225-5324.

Beware of vaccine scams ?? If someone offers to sell you the #COVID19 vaccine or a chance to get vaccinated before it's your turn, it's a SCAM. pic.twitter.com/b2qOqpLsB6

— Los Angeles County (@CountyofLA) December 21, 2020