News of a coronavirus vaccine has many people excited and hopeful — and anxious to find out when they can get a shot. This makes them prime targets for scammers.
The Marietta Police Department doesn’t want anyone to become a victim of these scammers, however.
“We have recently been advised of a new telephone scam hitting other states that seeks to obtain sensitive personal information by pretending to be health organization to reserve the ‘COVID vaccine,’” the department posted on its Facebook page. “This phone scam involves callers trying to dupe people into ‘reserving the COVID vaccine early’ by seeking personal information to ‘confirm eligibility.’”
According to officials, the caller pretends to be a healthcare professional and uses a “spoofed” legitimate phone number with the caller ID often altered to make it look like a real organization is calling.
“The callers use titles and fake badge numbers and may use a person’s name, address and other personal information to make the call sound official,” the department wrote.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, this isn’t the only type of scam being perpetrated on the public.
“Scammers are using telemarketing calls, text messages, social media platforms, and door-to-door visits to perpetrate COVID-19-related scams,” the office posted on its website. “Fraudsters are offering COVID-19 tests, HHS grants, and Medicare prescription cards in exchange for personal details, including Medicare information. However, these services are unapproved and illegitimate.”
If you are contacted, Marietta Police wrote, “don’t give personal information — people may be posing as government officials (IRS) or a trusted company (banks, Apple, etc.) Scrutinize any solicitation, ask for a call back number to confirm their identity. Look the organization up online and call the number posted online to verify their identity. Be careful of clicking unexpected links received via e-mail and text. Do online searches of the company or messages you received. If it’s too good to be true, then it is most likely a scam.”
The Office of the Inspector General also recommends:
Be vigilant and protect yourself from potential fraud concerning COVID-19 vaccines. You will not be asked for money to enhance your ranking for vaccine eligibility. Government and state officials will not call you to obtain personal information in order to receive the vaccine, and you will not be solicited door to door to receive the vaccine.
Beneficiaries should be cautious of unsolicited requests for their personal, medical and financial information. Medicare will not call beneficiaries to offer COVID-19 products, services or benefit review.
Be suspicious of any unexpected calls or visitors offering COVID-19 tests or supplies. If you receive a suspicious call, hang up immediately.
Do not respond to, or open hyperlinks in, text messages about COVID-19 from unknown individuals.
Ignore offers or advertisements for COVID-19 testing or treatments on social media sites. If you make an appointment for a COVID-19 test online, make sure the location is an official testing site.
Do not give your personal or financial information to anyone claiming to offer HHS grants related to COVID-19.
Be aware of scammers pretending to be COVID-19 contact tracers. Legitimate contact tracers will never ask for your Medicare number, financial information, or attempt to set up a COVID-19 test for you and collect payment information for the test.
If you suspect COVID-19 health care fraud, report it immediately online or call 1-800-447-8477.
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