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Posted by: thepinetree on 04/15/2021 08:30 AM Updated by: thepinetree on 04/15/2021 08:30 AM
Expires: 01/01/2026 12:00 AM
:

Scam Alert: COVID-19 Vaccine Passports are Coming; Scams are Sure to Follow

Sacramento, CA...Vaccine passports – digital records of an individual’s COVID-19 vaccination status – are on their way. This is likely to be a QR code on your phone, which you scan to enter a flight or event. As with any major new initiative, scammers always find ways to take advantage of the confusion and anxiety surrounding the change. Be on the lookout for vaccine passport cons.





Vaccine Passport Apps are Rolling Out

In the United States, a group of companies is working on a passport app, which could be used for travel and attending large events. The Canadian government recently announced they are “actively exploring” the concept of vaccine passports for international travel.

In fact, vaccine passport apps are already in use in some places. Right now, on certain flights to Hawaii, passengers can use an app to show they meet Hawaii’s negative COVID-19 test requirement. New York State launched Excelsior Pass, an app that pulls from the state's COVID-19 vaccine registry to confirm vaccination status. Internationally, Israel has rolled out an app to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19.

Tips to Avoid Vaccine Passport Cons:

The companies developing the passport apps hope the technology will allow industries – such as travel and events – to return to normal while minimizing the spread of COVID-19.

However, scams are very likely to pop up as the apps roll out. Here's what to watch out for:
  • Be skeptical of any vaccine passport app that claims to be from the U.S. federal government. Right now, the U.S. federal government has no plans to create a national vaccine passport. Email, calls, text messages that claim the government is requiring such a passport are likely scams.
  • Flying or attending an event? Check with the company directly. You may need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test or vaccine to attend an event or board a flight. As with all things related to COVID-19, policies are frequently changing. Be sure to check with your airline, sports team, event venue, etc. beforehand to get the latest details.
  • Don’t buy fraudulent vaccine cards. Don’t support scammers and undermine the vaccine effort by buying a black market vaccine card. Misrepresenting yourself as vaccinated means you put yourself and others around you at risk of contracting COVID-19.
  • Research carefully. If you receive an invitation to download a COVID-19 vaccine passport app, be sure to do your research before entering your personal information. Scammers are very creative, so be skeptical of anything that seems too good – or crazy – to be true. Double-check any information against official news sources and company websites.
  • Guard your government-issued numbers. Never offer your Medicare ID number, Social Security number, health plan information, or banking information to anyone you don’t know or trust. Don't post your vaccine card on social media.
  • Think the link may be real? Double-check the URL. Scammers often buy official-looking URL domains to use in their cons. Be careful to ensure that the link destination is really what it claims to be. If the message claims to be from the government, make sure the URL ends in .gov (for the United States) or .ca (for Canada). When in doubt, perform a separate internet search for the website or call the source directly.
 

For More Information

Read more about coronavirus scams on the Federal Trade Commission’s website and on BBB.org/coronavirus. Learn more about the disease at the CDC’s FAQ page.

BBB has identified many ways in which scammers are cashing in on the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about fake vaccine surveysvaccine scamscontact tracing cons, and government agency imposters.

If you’ve spotted a scam (whether or not you’ve lost money), report it to BBB.org/ScamTracker. Your report can help others avoid falling victim to scams. Find more information about scams and how to avoid them at BBB.org/AvoidScams.

Sign up for BBB Scam Alerts to receive weekly notices of emerging scams to avoid.

# # #

ABOUT BBB: BBB is a nonprofit, business-supported organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. For more than 100 years, the Better Business Bureau has been helping people find businesses, brands and charities they can trust. Most BBB services to consumers are free of charge. BBB provides objective advice, free BBB Business Profiles on more than 5.3 million companies, 11,000 charity reviews, dispute resolution services, alerts and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. There are over 100 local, independent BBBs across the United States, Canada and Mexico. BBB of Northeast California was founded in 1937 and serves 24 counties throughout the region. Visit bbb.org for more information.


Comments - Make a comment
The comments are owned by the poster. We are not responsible for its content. We value free speech but remember this is a public forum and we hope that people would use common sense and decency. If you see an offensive comment please email us at news@thepinetree.net
The True Scam
Posted on: 2021-04-15 09:14:54   By: Anonymous
 
The true scam is the Republicans, who are promoting with Fox (Carson) and evangelical ministers lies telling people not to get vaccinated.
Vaccine passports are necessary so that those who care about others can assemble knowing they have vaccine protection from death and disease from Covid and it's variants.

If Republicans (most of the anti Covid vax crowd) wish to have their clique of those who don't want to get vaccinated or wear masks, they need to also congregate together, and isolate themselves from the majority who chose science, truth to return to some semblance of normalcy.

The vax passports must have security measures which can't be duplicated.

[Reply ]

    Re: The True Scam
    Posted on: 2021-04-15 09:37:10   By: Anonymous
     
    You would have made a fantastic Nazi officer in 1930's Germany.

    [Reply ]

      Re: The True Scam
      Posted on: 2021-04-15 10:33:52   By: Anonymous
       
      You're a trump storm trooper, not me.

      [Reply ]

        Re: The True Scam
        Posted on: 2021-04-16 02:48:08   By: Anonymous
         
        Achtung Baby!

        [Reply ]

      Re: Satan worshiping Democrats
      Posted on: 2021-04-15 15:24:19   By: Anonymous
       
      Now the Republicans and evangelicals are going to complain because they can't associate with Democrats and satan worshiping liberals?

      [Reply ]

        Re: /\ Now the Republicans...
        Posted on: 2021-04-15 16:11:17   By: Anonymous
         
        Whenever I get a call and I see an unfamiliar number on the screen I just ignore it not answer it. Sometime I Google the Dex West thing to find out the origins. I've been around long enough to know better. Just about 99% of the time I can "smell" a scam and just ignore it. It's the same as a phony vaccum salesman coming to the door especially when he/she doesn't have the proper documentation.

        [Reply ]

          Re: /\ Now the Republicans...
          Posted on: 2021-04-16 02:49:00   By: Anonymous
           
          Vacuum salesman come to the door still??????????????

          [Reply ]

            Re: /\ Vacuum sales man comes...
            Posted on: 2021-04-18 15:57:33   By: Anonymous
             
            That's just an example to get the point across. In fact lately I have heard some comments about these phony shampooing machine people going from door to door without even a visible vehicle around nor valid credentials. Additionally, they don't even have a 'demo' model with them. To me-that's someone 'casing' the house for a future burglary when the folks aren't home. Just a thought....

            [Reply ]

    Re: The True Scam
    Posted on: 2023-12-23 02:32:59   By: Anonymous
     
    Kanye West is the best-known musician, fashion designer, and record producer who has won Grammy Awards for his work. He has won nearly two dozen Grammy Awards and is most famous for his theatre shows, modeling ventures, awards, and fashion sense. Kanye west clothing

    [Reply ]

No Subject
Posted on: 2023-07-15 04:32:59   By: Anonymous
 
That's the reason it is advisable that you need to right inspection earlier than writing. You can set up a lot better present with this. Valmont Skincare

[Reply ]


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