Most states haven't even received the COVID-19 vaccines yet and already there are warnings of vaccine scams. Since the pandemic, scammers haven't wasted time selling phony PPE and COVID test kits. To counter it, Homeland Security launched an operation that prevents the sale of products and drugs not approved by the federal government.
That initiative by the government hasn't been enough to deter scammers who now target victims through phony texts or emails. The Better Business Bureau of Southern Piedmont says at least two dozen people say they received scams that offered them a spot in line to get a COVID-19 vaccine.
The scam is sent via a link and once people click on the link the victims screen goes black, meaning malware has taken over the phone. Other victims receive a pop-up asking for their personal information and payment method.
The link may even direct victims to a website where they can "order your vaccine now."
The BBB says none of these "offers" are legitimate. They are all scams. And the BBB says people on social media appear to be the target.
The BBB offers theses tips to determine if it is a scam:
- Check with your doctor or local health department to see if link or information you received came from them
- Ignore anything that ask for immediate action or payment upfront
- Double-click the URL to see if it ends in "dot-gov"
If you see a scam, report it to your local Better Business Bureau.
