SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- The San Diego Police Department's Facebook page warned residents on Saturday that scammers could use coronavirus vaccines as a way to swindle the public.
Currently in San Diego county, many high-risk Americans, mostly those who work in health care settings or those who live or work in assisted living facilities, are getting vaccinated against the coronavirus. The vaccines, however, likely won’t reach the broader American public for at least several months.
SDPD issued a series of recommendations to prevent getting conned.
- You likely will not need to pay anything out of pocket to get the vaccine during this public health emergency.
- You can’t pay to put your name on a list to get the vaccine.
- You can’t pay to get early access to the vaccine.
- No one from a vaccine distribution site or health care payer, will call you asking for your Social Security number or your credit card or bank account information to sign you up to get the vaccine.
- Beware of providers offering other products, treatments, or medicines to prevent the virus. Check with your health care provider before paying for or receiving any COVID-19-related treatment.
SDPD is asking those who believe they are being the target of a scam to contact HHS at hhs.gov/fraud or call the FBI Hotline 1-800-CALL-FBI