Financial Wellness

Beware of COVID-19 Vaccine Scams

Avoid social media posts, calls, emails and texts with COVID-19 vaccine-related schemes.

With the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, fraudulent products, misleading claims and scams multiply to deceive consumers.

Government and consumer agencies have issued warnings that scammers are using the public's interest in COVID-19 vaccines to obtain personally identifiable information and money through various schemes.

Warning signs of a COVID-19 vaccine scam

  • You are asked to pay to get early access or move up to an earlier group to get the vaccine.
  • You are asked to put your name on a COVID vaccine waiting list for a fee.
  • You are asked to pay out of pocket to get the vaccine.
  • You are contacted by phone, text, email, social media, or with a knock on your door by someone trying to sell you a vaccine.
  • You are told you can get a special, low cost deal on shots of the vaccine.
  • You see advertisements for vaccines through social media platforms, email, phone calls, online, or unsolicited/unknown sources.
  • You get an offer to have vaccine doses shipped to you for payment.

Do not pay for a promise of vaccine access

Be suspicious of anyone asking you for payment to receive a vaccine. You will not be charged a fee or co-pay to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The doctor or pharmacy may charge a fee for administering the vaccine, but that cost should be covered by public and private insurance companies. People without health insurance can get COVID-19 vaccines for free.

Do not give out your personal, medical or financial information to unknown sources

Watch out for social media posts, emails and texts trying to obtain your personal information and money.

Look to state and local health departments for guidance

Information about COVID-19 vaccines are posted and updated by your local public health department. If you have questions about when and how to receive a vaccine, contact your doctor or healthcare provider.