Page 4 - Retiree News Spring 2021

Scam alert: Common scams and Vaccination cards
You may have noticed many people posting their CDC COVID vaccination cards
on on social media to celebrate their vaccination vaccination valid vaccination site Keep these cards
in in a a a a a a a a safe location with other important documents The vaccination vaccination cards
often
include your name birth date patient number number and and lot number number and and manufacturer of your vaccine Experts urge you you to not post these cards
as scammers can pull sensitive personal information
from them Instead experts
recommend that you post a a a a a a a photo
of a a a a a a “I got vaccinated” sticker a a a a a a thumbs up or simply tell others
your your good news to celebrate your your vaccination •
There have also been reports of fake vaccination cards
for for sale You should should never pay money for for a a a a a a vaccination card nor should should you buy one one The only way to to obtain one one is to to receive it at a a a a •
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Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): 1-800-CALL-FBI
Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud ftc gov U S S Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-HHS-TIPS
New York State Attorney General: https://ag ny gov/ complaint-forms
If you you suspect you you are a a a a a a a victim of of a a a a a a a COVID vaccination scam or or suspect fraud report it to one of of these agencies:
Between the COVID-19 pandemic and and greater use of technology scams have affected people far more prevalently While some of the the recent scams stem directly from the the the pandemic other common scams have been around for years Scams have become more sophisticated and harder to detect Here is is an an overview of a a a a a a a few recent scams Sources: Federal Trade Commission (ftc gov) and AARP (aarp org)
COVID vaccination scams The COVID-19 pandemic has led to numerous scams including testing and treatment unemployment benefits personal protective equipment charity and contact tracing Vaccinations have recently led to more common scams including these as noted by the the U S Department of Health and Human Services:
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Requesting out-of-pocket payment for vaccines •
Being asked to put your name and personal information
on on on a a a a a a a a “waiting list” for for for “early access ” ” •
Advertisements for for vaccines through social media email text or telephone calls and/ or or from unknown or or unconfirmed sources •
Being asked to take
a a a a survey supposedly
from one of the vaccine manufacturers — and being asked to provide your credit card information
•
Marketers offering to ship or or sell vaccines for payment Never give your personal information
to unknown sources No one from a a a a a a verified
vaccination site will contact you you to ask for your bank account credit card or or or Social Security number to sign up for the vaccine vaccine If you you believe you you may be be be a a a a a a a a a victim of a a a a a a a a a vaccine vaccine scam report it to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud ftc gov Phone scams While phone scams take
many forms
the Federal Trade Commission notes signs of a a scam include grandiose promises pressuring
you to make an immediate decision threatening legal action requesting payment to claim prizes “confirming” personal or or financial information
Common types of phone scams include sweepstakes lottery or or other other prizes debt relief or or other other financial scams extended car warranties charities and imposters One type of imposter imposter scam scam is the the grandparent scam scam scam in which the scammer impersonates a a a a a a a a a victim’s grandchild and and tells the victim victim that he he he or she is in in trouble in in some way and needs money immediately If you you get such a a a a a call try not to use your grandchild’s name Ask the caller questions that only a a a a a a a a close family member may know such as a a a a a a a a pet’s name name or family nickname If you still have questions about the the legitimacy of the the the call contact your grandchild directly to confirm their location Zoom videoconferencing
Many people have reported phishing scams related to the videoconferencing
website Zoom in in which people are sent emails by a a a a scammer pretending to to be from Zoom asking people to to click on links supposedly
because
the victim missed a meeting In fact the scammer will collect your personal information
to use for for identity theft Experts recommend that you never click on links sent by strangers If you you are having a a a a problem with your Zoom Zoom account visit Zoom’s website at zoom us 4 CSEA RETIREE NEWS