COVID-19 returned to the front page just at the end of 2021. With the omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the health scenario seems to have regressed to the one we had in the third quarter of 2020. And despite the time , there are still unscrupulous who seek to take advantage to deceive the most vulnerable. This is how they show it scams associated with COVID-19 what you should avoid
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Do you have to pay for the vaccine?
One of the main scams related to the coronavirus is related to the charge for the COVID-19 vaccine: the federal authorities have reiterated that the injection is 100 percent free and you do not have to pay for the procedures associated with the injection.
“You cannot buy the COVID-19 vaccine anywhere. It is only available at federal and state approved centers. If someone charges you for helping to register or for the vaccine itself, it is a scam, “recalls the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Always speak with your doctor or healthcare professional before trying any product that claims to treat, prevent, or cure COVID-19.
Does the CDC ask for donations?
The CDC is one of the most trusted agencies for Americans. This has been exploited by unscrupulous who make phone calls using phishing techniques to collect personal data from victims or even ask for donations for the CDC.
“Federal agencies do not ask for donations. Do not provide your personal information, including banking information, social security number or other personally identifiable information over the phone or to people you don’t know, ”the CDC recalls.
Is there a national vaccination certificate?
Unlike what happens in other latitudes, in the United States there are no official plans to create a national vaccine verification application, a federal certificate of immunity or a green passport.
“If someone asks you for personal information or money to obtain a passport or national vaccination certificate, it is a scam,” recalls the FTC.
One of the best alternatives to prevent fraud of this nature is communicate directly with state authorities for vaccination verification plans and requirements.
Authorities also recommend not posting federal vaccination cards on social media, as they could reveal personal information that scammers could use to impersonate you.
Phishing attacks
Cybercriminals are taking advantage of the growing interest in COVID-19 to launch emails with topics related to the pandemic, but which are actually phishing attacks.
The messages contain links that direct you to malware downloads, which can allow them to take control of your computer or even healthcare center systems to steal information from their users.
One of the messages pretends to have been sent by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and is directed at Americans and other English-speaking victims, with attachments on infection prevention measures for the disease.
“It is key to stay alert and follow good security practices to help reduce the likelihood of being a victim of phishing attacks,” recalls the CDC.
Escape from miracle treatments
There are no miracle treatments to prevent COVID-19, avoid contagion, or recover people who have already contracted the SARS-Cov-2 virus.
For now, only vaccines approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have scientifically proven their ability to lower the likelihood of serious illness.
In this way, for the prevention of COVID-19 you should escape solutions such as chlorine dioxide, also called Miracle Mineral Solution (MMS), or ivermectin, which has not proven its effectiveness, as reiterated by the FDA and WHO
How to report scams and other scams
If you have been the victim of a scam or have tried to deceive you under any of these mechanisms, the federal authorities have called to report these practices to the regulatory bodies.
To do this, you must visit the site ReportFraud.ftc.gov, where you must enter a series of antecedents that facilitate the investigation of the case. Among them are:
- Contact information (name, address, telephone, email).
- Product or service involved
- Information about the company.
- Details of the transaction, such as the amount, the medium and the date of payment.
Another alternative is to contact the Anti-Phishing Working Group, an NGO that prevents fraud on the internet.
Also, when looking for help related to a pandemic, it is best to start at sites like coronavirus.gov Y usa.gov/coronavirus.
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