As the COVID-19 vaccine continues to become more widely available for eligible San Franciscans, scams relating to the vaccine continue to emerge. It is important that all San Franciscans, especially those most vulnerable to these malicious attempts, understand how to avoid them.
Below is a list of talking points surrounding vaccine scams. Please see this link for translations to these points in Chinese language, Spanish, and Filipino. See ftc.gov/coronavirus/scams for more information on vaccine scams.
- Nobody legitimate from the City, State, or Federal government will call about the #COVID19 vaccine and ask for your Social Security number, bank account, or credit card number. That’s a scam.
- You cannot pay for early access to the #COVID19 vaccine. If you receive a call, text, email, or other message offering to sell early access, that’s a scam. Do not respond.
- You cannot pay to put your name on a list for the #COVID19 vaccine. If you receive a call, text, email, or other message offering to sell a spot on a list for the vaccine, that’s a scam. Do not respond.
- If you receive a call, text, or email offering the #COVID19 vaccine and requesting your personal or financial information, that’s a scam. Do not respond.
- Avoid #COVID19 scams by learning how to tell the difference between a real contact tracer and a scammer. Legitimate tracers need health information, not money or personal financial information.
- Ignore offers of vaccinations and miracle treatments or cures for sale. Scammers are selling products to treat or prevent #COVID19 without proof that they work.
- Nobody legitimate from the City, State, or Federal government will call or text and ask you to pay for the #COVID19 vaccine. That’s a scam.
This information comes via SF Government’s Community Partners Group and Community Branch-COVID Command Center.
