WASHINGTON, DC – The FBI is warning of fraud related to fake COVID-19 vaccination cards being sold on the internet. According to the federal agency, one way the fraudsters are getting the images to make the cards is by stealing them off legitimate people’s social media pages.
The FBI is asking people that have been vaccinated to not post a photo of the completed vaccination card online.
Criminals can also use your post to harvest personal information including your name, date of birth, patient number, and location where you received your vaccine. Once the perpetrator has these details, your identity can be stolen.
If you have already posted a photo of a vaccine card, the FBI recommends removing it and updating your profile picture with a banner or a sticker saying that you got your shot. Some social media platforms have frames or graphics you can use—or you can download stickers from www.cdc.gov.
If you think that you have been a victim of identity theft, contact your financial institutions immediately and monitor your credit reports.
You should also report the incident to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov or call your FBI local office.
NEWS STORY PROVIDED BY: Mid Hudson News -www.midhudsonnews.com