Scammers use COVID-19 vaccination to steal data and money from New Yorkers: how to protect yourself

New York State's Division of Consumer Protection (DCP) warns of fraudsters who use COVID-19 vaccinations to steal personal information from residents in the region.

Among the methods they use:

1. False claims about selling vaccines online (the buyer is asked to provide personal information and payment card details, as a result he does not receive the vaccine, and the information provided by him is used by fraudsters).

2. Sending letters and messages about vaccinations allegedly from hospitals, authorities, etc. They contain malicious links, upon clicking on which the victim provides the fraudsters with access to personal information.

3. The use of automatic calls supposedly to collect information for further vaccination.

“The advent of the COVID-19 vaccine is encouraging for many of us, but it also creates new opportunities for scammers trying to lie to people to provide them with personal information,” said New York State Secretary Rossana Rosado.

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New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker added: “We are embarking on the daunting historic task of vaccinating New Yorkers against COVID-19, and we must remember to adhere to screening protocols to ensure a safe and effective vaccination process. According to Governor Cuomo, the vaccine can be obtained free of charge, the cost of the procedure should be covered by insurance. New Yorkers should keep their personal health information safe and question any requests for information that they cannot accurately identify or associate with a trusted medical or government agency. ”

How to Protect Against COVID-19 Vaccine Fraud

• Don't follow links from sources you don't know. This can cause a virus to download to your computer or other device. Make sure you have the latest anti-virus software installed on your computer.
• Take extra care when receiving emails from unknown senders. Do not trust emails purportedly sent by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or experts claiming they have information about the vaccine. For the latest information on the coronavirus in New York State, visit Regional Department of Health website.
• Ignore online vaccination offers or emails stating that you can get the vaccine bypassing the distribution plan.
• Be wary of emails asking for your personal information. If a hospital or a government agency is indicated by the sender, check this by calling the official number of this institution on its website (do not use the number indicated in the letter for verification).
• Hang up if scammers call you. If you receive a fraudulent COVID-19 vaccination call, hang up. Don't press any numbers. The recording may say that clicking on a number will allow you to talk to the operator in real time or remove you from the list of such automatic calls, but this is not the case. Instead, clicking on some numbers can lead to more such calls.

Where to Find Reliable Vaccination Information

The New York Governor's Office recently launched a website Vaccinate new york... It provides residents of the region with up-to-date information on vaccinations, safety protocols, vaccine distribution priorities, and so on. This portal provides New Yorkers with not only general information about the vaccine, but also an FAQ section that provides detailed information on the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine.

In addition, for up-to-date information on COVID-19 and vaccinations, visit New York State Department of Health website or the COVID-19 hotline at 1-888-364-3065.