TULSA, Okla. — Scammers targeted victims with everything from fake masks to COVID-19 grants to funeral payments.
Now, they're focusing on vaccine passports. Most of these scams are set up to look like they're coming from the U.S. government.
Sylvia, a grandmother who fell for the scam, received a call saying now that she'd been vaccinated, she must take a mandatory online COVID-19 test to make sure the vaccine is working in order to get a vaccine passport.
"We're planning to travel across country to see our grandchildren for the first time in more than a year," Sylvia said. "So, I wanted to make sure we do everything we're required to do in order to travel."
The scammer told Sylvia the test cost $25. So, she gave the scammer her checking account number to pay for two tests for her and her husband. Instead of taking $50 out of the account, the scammer took $500. The bank closed Sylvia's account when she reported the incident.
Other variations include texts or emails including links to a testing website, phishing for your personal and financial information.
It's important to remember there is no mandatory testing after vaccination. Tests can't be done online without a sample, and there are no required vaccine passports. So don't respond to any unsolicited emails or texts and hang up on anyone calling about COVID-19 testing.
How to spot a COVID-19 scam:
- Government agencies usually don't communicate through text messages
- Go to the agency's website yourself, without clicking on a link, to verify any information you receive via text or email.
- Ignore instructions to text "STOP" or "NO" to prevent future texts, and don't hit unsubscribe to stop emails. That is a common ploy by scammers to confirm they have an actual, active number.
- Also, check for look-alikes
Be sure to do research and see if a government agency or organization mentioned in a text or email exists. Find contact information and call to see if what you've been told is legitimate.
Trending Stories:
- Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission writes letter to Gov. Stitt after signing HB 1775 into law
- DOWNLOAD the 2 Works for You app for alerts
- TPS releases statement after Gov. Kevin Stitt signs HB 1775 into law
- FOLLOW 2 Works for You on Facebook
- Uber, Lyft to begin offering free rides to COVID-19 vaccination sites
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere --
- Download our free app for Apple, Android and Kindle devices.
- Sign up for daily newsletters emailed to you
- Like us on Facebook
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Twitter
