FBI warns making fake vaccine card could endanger you and others, and you’re breaking the law

While many of us have gotten – or are in the process of getting – our COVID-19 vaccine, those who don’t want to get one can still get vaccine cards claiming they did.

It’s just one of the many things you can now find on the dark web. However, experts say it could put your life and the lives of your family members in danger.

Many people say they can’t get a vaccine shot or don’t want one, but they still want the privileges that are going to come with getting vaccinated.

With talk of co-called “vaccine passports” to travel or the vaccine as a requirement to go to school, enter buildings, or return to work; There are counterfeit vaccine cards for sale on the internet.

They’re popping up on the dark web, or people are just making their own. But using one isn’t just unethical, it can be dangerous.

Doctor Luis Aponte is a Fort Myers physician. He says, “The COVID card will not provide any medical protection and what it does is allows you to go places where you are still not covered from COVID, so you are either at risk of being exposed or at risk of exposing others with COVID.”

The fake cards can look legitimate, with your name and the dates you got vaccinated.

The FBI put out an alert on the dangers of faking vaccination cards and added that the use of the seal from the CDC or Health and Human Services, as found on the vaccination cards, is a crime.

For more information about the dangers of sharing your vaccination status on social media, see

RESOURCES

• FBI El Paso Warns About Not Posting Your CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Card on Social Media Platforms
• FTC: Social media is no place for COVID-19 vaccination cards

To report suspicious activity involving fake vaccination record cards, please contact the appropriate government agency in your state or jurisdiction, HHS-OIG (1-800-HHS-TIPS or www.oig.hhs.gov); or the Internet Crime Complaint Center (www.ic3.gov).