Pa. State Police: Beware of vaccine scams
Written by Juliana on February 3, 2021
Pa. State Police: Beware of vaccine scams
By Megan Frank
February 3, 2021
Criminals are taking advantage of the high demand for the COVID-19 vaccine, and Pennsylvania State Police warn that deceptive messages from scammers offer early access for a cost or the ability to jump the line.
State Police say scammers use e-mail, texts and phone calls to lure victims who want to get the COVID-19 vaccine faster. The bogus claims encourage people to pay for a spot in line or to have doses of the shot shipped to their homes. Neither offer is true or possible.
Trooper David Peters, PSP Troop N Community Services and Public Information Officer, says these messages often offer a website link to sign up.
“It can install some type of virus on your computer,” Peters says, “They’re trying to get your personal information so that they can steal your identity, empty your bank account, things like that.”
Peters says people should contact their medical provider directly or call the local health department for vaccine information.
As of Feb. 2, Pennsylvania has given at least one dose of the vaccines to more than 775,000 people.
The Biden Administration has announced it will increase the number of vaccines shipped to states by 17% during the week of Feb. 8-12.
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