Stay Alert – Don't Post Your Vaccination Card

Excited about getting vaccinated against COVID-19, many people in recent months have posted photos of their vaccination card on social media. Unfortunately, scammers are using the images to make and sell fake vaccination cards.

As some venues and destinations start requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination, the official Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cards given to those who get immunized have become a hot commodity on the black market. Fake vaccine cards have sold for hundreds of dollars on major platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and eBay. 

For this reason, the FBI has advised against posting photos of your vaccination card on social media. If you want to inform friends and family that you got your shots, simply post a selfie with the vaccination site in the background. You can also add a frame to your Facebook Profile photo that says "We Can Do This — I Got My COVID-19 Vaccine."

Another reason not to share your vaccination card on social media is the risk of identity theft, since the card bears your name and date of birth. Scammers can use this information to gather more about you on the dark web. They can even contact you after your first shot, posing as someone rescheduling or confirming your second shot, to ask for your Social Security number.

The moral of this story is this: Don't let your guard down with COVID-19, and don't let your guard down with scammers. Stay alert and be smart as the pandemic continues.