Fear can cloud our judgment and lead us to make bad decisions. Fear can make our brain cells take a holiday. This past year COVID-19 has fed Fear, and Fear has given scammers many opportunities to take advantage of us. COVID-19 has permeated our economy, our politics, our health care systems, our families, our friends … every aspect of our lives. This gives scammers a smorgasbord of areas to choose from as they continue their attempts to con people. Now there’s a new area: vaccines.
There are two vaccines being distributed (Pfizer and Moderna) with one more vaccine approaching approval (Johnson & Johnson). People are getting impatient and the Fear has ramped up.
West Virginia has been recognized for its speed and efficiency in rolling out the vaccinations, but there are still a lot of people to vaccinate. There have been some hitches with getting shots in arms. The enrollment process has been frustrating. Now we are looking at a shortage of vaccine. It seems painfully slow when you’re older, have health issues, and when you’re afraid. This makes us more vulnerable. We have to be vigilant. We don’t need the additional problem of getting scammed.
The US Department of Health and Human Services warns us to beware of vaccination scams. Be suspicious if …
· You are asked to pay out-of-pocket for the vaccine. The vaccine is free although there may be a small administration fee. This fee can be submitted to Medicare or your insurance.
· You are asked to pay to get your name on a list for an appointment or to get early access. There is no way to “cut the line” and you cannot pay for quicker access.
· You are asked for personal information (Social Security or Medicare number, insurance information, bank account number) to get on a list.
· You are asked for an immediate response for a vaccine through advertising, social media, emails, phone calls, texts, or on-line access.
· You are called by someone saying they are from the “government” or saying someone from your “insurance provider” will call you about getting on the vaccination list. No one from the government will call you about getting on a list. Your insurance provider will notify you personally and will already have your personal information.
· You are called by someone who tells you that they are with the Food & Drug Administration. This federal agency is not involved in COVID 19 vaccine distribution or appointments. This agency works with development of vaccines that meet the FDA standards. For more information on vaccinations, go to the Centers for Disease Control website or contact your local health department.
· You receive an offer to buy a vaccine and have it shipped to you directly. There is no source of vaccine that can be purchased privately. If you buy into this, and if there is something shipped, the US DHHS warns us that it will not be an authentic vaccine.
Be cautious. These are hard times for a lot of people, and they are lonely times. Don’t fall for these scams, or any others that seek to separate you from your money or your personal information. Try to be patient. Check with your local health department or your state’s COVID 19 information helpline. You don’t want to complicate your situation by falling for a scam!
