Be aware: Better Business Bureau warns public of COVID-19 vaccine scams

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A health care worker prepares to administer the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021, at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C. Two months after the first COVID-19 shots were administered, the race to vaccinate older Americans is gaining traction, with more than half of states reporting that a third of people 65 and up have received their first dose.[AP Photo/Gerry Broome]

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning the public about scammers pushing fake vaccines and other cons.

According to a statement, as COVID-19 vaccine appointments are open for eligible residents, most "vaccine hunter" websites and online groups are legitimate resources. The BBB suggests using caution when following links or providing personal information.

The BBB states many vaccine-hunting social media groups provide practical tips in finding open appointments, but they can also be a place for scammers to push phony vaccines and other cons.

VaccineFinder.org is one such site promoted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These websites can be handy tools, but be wary of lookalike sites that collect personal information or require payment.

Tips for avoiding cons while finding a vaccine appointment:

  • Always go through official public health channels and approved providers to get a vaccine appointment. In the US, COVID-19 vaccines are only available through official providers, such as your local public health department or a pharmacy. The exact providers differ by region, but you can find the list for your area using VaccineFinder.org. Aggregation sites should always point you to the official providers to schedule your appointment.
  • Anyone claiming to sell vaccine doses is a scam. Be wary of anyone who claims to have doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. This report from Digital Citizens Alliance found scam Facebook pages advertising vaccines made in China. While the pages didn’t actively promote sales of the drug, the scammers offered to sell the phony vaccine after being contacted through Facebook Messenger.
  • Don’t pay to add your name to a waiting list or to get the vaccine. BBB Scam Tracker has gotten reports about con artists charging for fake vaccine appointments. The federal government is providing the vaccine free of charge to all people living in the United States. Vaccine providers cannot charge you for the vaccine. Any claim otherwise is a scam.
  • Be very careful about giving out personal information. You don’t need your bank account details, credit card information, or Social Security number to schedule a vaccine appointment.
  • Always double-check the URL before entering personal information. Scammers often buy official-looking URLs to use in their cons. Be careful that the link is really what it claims to be. If the message claims to be from the local government, make sure the URL ends in .gov (for the United States). When in doubt, perform a separate internet search for the website or call the source directly.
  • Research offers carefully. Scammers are very creative, so be skeptical of anything that seems too good to be true. Double-check any information about the vaccine with official news sources.