[Lincolnparkdc] Fwd: DISB Consumer Alert: Beware of COVID-19 Vaccine Scams

Thu Dec 24 10:55:51 EST 2020

FYI...I received this today from the District Government

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: DISB Communications <disb.communications at subscriptions.dc.gov>
Date: Thu, Dec 24, 2020, 10:30 AM
Subject: DISB Consumer Alert: Beware of COVID-19 Vaccine Scams

[image: DISB Consumer Alert]
Beware of COVID-19 Vaccine Scams
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Fraudsters have launched a new scam by taking advantage of the coronavirus
(COVID-19) vaccine news. They are attempting to defraud their victims by
stealing their money and their sensitive, personal information.

On December 21, 2020, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) issued a
press release warning consumers to be on the alert for several emerging
fraud schemes related to COVID-19 vaccines. According to federal law
enforcement, scammers have been using telemarketing calls, text messages,
social media platforms and door-to-door visits to perpetrate
COVID-19-related scams. The FBI warns consumers to be on the lookout for
the following scam activities:

   - Advertisements or offers for early access to a vaccine upon payment of
   a deposit or fee.
   - Requests asking you to pay out of pocket to obtain the vaccine or to
   put your name on a COVID-19 vaccine waiting list.
   - Offers to undergo additional medical testing or procedures when
   obtaining a vaccine.
   - Marketers offering to sell and/or ship doses of a vaccine,
   domestically or internationally, in exchange for payment of a deposit or
   fee.
   - Unsolicited emails, telephone calls, or personal contact from someone
   claiming to be from a medical office, insurance company, or COVID-19
   vaccine center requesting personal and/or medical information to determine
   recipients’ eligibility to participate in clinical vaccine trials or obtain
   the vaccine.
   - Claims of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for a vaccine
   that cannot be verified.
   - Advertisements for vaccines through social media platforms, email,
   telephone calls, online, or from unsolicited/unknown sources.
   - Individuals contacting you in person, by phone, or by email to tell
   you the government or government officials require you to receive a
   COVID-19 vaccine.

Here are tips to avoid becoming a victim of COVID vaccine fraud:

   - Consult the District’s coronavirus.dc.gov
   <https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDEyMjQuMzI0ODgwNzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2Nvcm9uYXZpcnVzLmRjLmdvdi9yZWdpc3RlciJ9.G5DWwvSZYhDFiIIupyhHr3cgNn5Fm5vNotqAm-eJ5gs/s/737437960/br/92391851497-l>
   website for up-to-date information about authorized vaccine distribution
   channels and only obtain a vaccine through such channels.
   - Check the FDA’s website (fda.gov) for current information about
   vaccine emergency use authorizations.
   - Consult your primary care physician before undergoing any vaccination.
   - Don’t share your personal or health information with anyone other than
   known and trusted medical professionals.
   - Check your medical bills and insurance explanation of benefits (EOBs)
   for suspicious claims and promptly report errors to your health insurance
   provider.
   - Follow guidance and recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease
   Control and Prevention (CDC), DC Health, and other trusted medical
   professionals.

Be suspicious of any unexpected phone calls, emails, text messages,
advertisements, or home visitors offering COVID-19 tests, supplies or
cures. If you receive a suspicious call, hang up immediately. Do not
respond to unsolicited texts or emails regarding COVID-19 vaccines or click
on COVID-19 vaccine related links appearing in unsolicited emails or text
messages.

If you believe you have been the victim of a COVID-19 fraud, immediately
report it to the FBI (ic3.gov, tips.fbi.gov, or 1-800-CALL-FBI) or HHS OIG (
tips.hhs.gov or 1-800-HHS-TIPS). You may also contact Office of Consumer
Protection in the DC Office of the Attorney General at
oag.dc.gov/consumer-protection
<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDEyMjQuMzI0ODgwNzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL29hZy5kYy5nb3YvY29uc3VtZXItcHJvdGVjdGlvbiJ9.GRvqx2KJNlqUlzSK_fRsL0GKNQX039VCSkXeJ32dPfE/s/737437960/br/92391851497-l>
and the DISB Enforcement and Consumer Protection Division at 202-727-8000.

*DISB Mission*Our mission is three-fold: (1) cultivate a regulatory
environment that protects consumers and attracts and retains financial
services firms to the District; (2) empower and educate residents on
financial matters; and (3) provide financing for District small businesses.

*Social Media*
DISB Twitter: @DCDISB
<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDEyMjQuMzI0ODgwNzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3R3aXR0ZXIuY29tL2RjZGlzYj9sYW5nPWVuIn0.XMZnBUOpt16AppicsYkJyMlQF07vh8IDcZp3vifU_1Y/s/737437960/br/92391851497-l>
DISB Facebook: facebook.com/DISBDC
<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDEyMjQuMzI0ODgwNzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5mYWNlYm9vay5jb20vRElTQkRDLyJ9.4E4teXtX0Rr2YXFedoHhhyLCXtxeKqlyngssiSrBvsY/s/737437960/br/92391851497-l>
DISB YouTube: youtube.com/user/DCDISB
<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDQsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDEyMjQuMzI0ODgwNzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy55b3V0dWJlLmNvbS91c2VyL0RDRElTQiJ9.dJ-sP9J2eAFk31D5k-hdc5roGZvjI0rZB35NATvbcgU/s/737437960/br/92391851497-l>
DISB Website: disb.dc.gov
<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDUsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDEyMjQuMzI0ODgwNzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmRpc2IuZGMuZ292In0.NX1vC1fdLy6_ZciCotIawYKW6_yG_B5VeLqEqKLXM3k/s/737437960/br/92391851497-l>

*District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking *
Office of Communications
1050 First Street NE, Suite 801, Washington, DC 20002

[image: MMB Logo]

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