Scammers could take advantage of COVID-19 vaccine release. Don’t fall for it

Reporter: Rich Kolko
Published: Updated:

The U.S. government is getting ready to crack down on any businesses pedaling phony COVID-19 vaccines.

The Better Business Bureau is warning the public about the possible sale of fake COVID-19 vaccines. And the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is working with companies currently developing the vaccine to stop the sale of counterfeit vaccines, according to the BBB.

Scammers may promise the vaccine, but the government is setting up who gets the vaccine and when they get it. Most of that information isn’t available to the public yet.

Scammers will try to get your information in two ways; They could offer the vaccine from a fake company that requires personal information to sign you up or send an email with a link containing malware. That can expose your information to hackers.

Here are a few things you can do to protect yourself:

  • Verify fundraising campaigns
  • Be wary of emails from fake government websites
  • And never give personal information to a caller if you didn’t make the call

MORE: Beware of Fraudulent Coronavirus Tests, Vaccines and Treatments, FDA says 

MORE: FTC, FDA Send Warning Letters to Seven Companies about Unsupported Claims that Products Can Treat or Prevent Coronavirus

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.