BATON ROUGE, LA – This
morning, America watched Vice President Mike Pence receive the coronavirus
vaccine; and while people in Louisiana are eager to get a vaccine for COVID-19,
they should be aware that fraudsters could try dangerous scams to take
advantage of anxiety over the pandemic.
“If you choose to be vaccinated, know this: no amount of
money or personal information will cure the wait to get the vaccine,” warned
Attorney General Jeff Landry. “Just like they did with supposed test kits,
treatments, and personal protective equipment – scammers are offering too good
to be true schemes with the vaccine.”
“Everyone in Louisiana, especially seniors and their
caretakers, should be on high alert for these fraudsters,”
continued Attorney General Landry. “Be on the lookout for those contacting
you by call, text, email, or even door knock claiming to be a government
official in need of obtaining your personal, medical, or financial information
for you to receive the vaccine.”
Attorney General Landry reminds everyone that the
best defense to COVID-19 scams is education and vigilance. So the Attorney
General wants Louisiana citizens to know the following information to help stay
safe from criminals trying to take advantage of people’s fear or desire to be
immune:
- The
vaccine is currently available in limited quantities; the distribution
timeline for the general public is still to be determined. Access to the
vaccine is strictly controlled, and anyone claiming to provide early
access to the vaccine is a scammer.
- No
one can pay to put his or her name on a list to get the vaccine or to get
early access to the vaccine.
- No
legitimate vaccine distribution site or heath care payer, like a private
insurance company, will call asking for your Social Security number or
debit/credit card number to sign you up to get the vaccine.
- You
likely will not need to pay anything out of pocket to get the vaccine
during this public health emergency.
- If
you have become a victim, report it immediately to the National Center for
Disaster Fraud at 866-720-5721 or www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Additionally, Attorney
General Landry encourages people to not give cash, wire money, or send prepaid
money cards to strangers; to not be pressured immediately into making a
financial decision, especially one that does not involve a written contract;
and to not divulge banking, medical, or personal information to suspicious
callers.