CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey reports his office has received a number of calls from consumers who claim to have received suspicious calls related to the COVID-19 vaccine.
Most consumers report receiving phone calls, although scammers may also reach out via text or email. The con artist will often ask multiple questions about personal and financial data, supposedly in order to schedule a vaccine appointment.
“Consumers must know that legitimate health officials coordinating vaccine distribution will never ask for payment or financial or other personal, identifiable information,” Attorney General Morrisey said. “If you suspect a scam, trust your instincts and give our office a call. We can help you sort out fraud from fact.”
The Attorney General’s Office further advises consumers to consider the following tips:
- Do not pay for a vaccine appointment or a spot on a waiting list.
- Be extremely wary of texts from unknown parties.
- If something seems suspicious, call a trusted source such as the local health department or the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline.
- Never open email attachments from unknown parties.
- Never share personal, identifiable information with an unknown party.
Anyone who believes they have been the victim of coronavirus vaccine fraud should immediately contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-368-8808, the Eastern Panhandle Consumer Protection Office in Martinsburg at 304-267-0239 or visit the office online at www.wvago.gov.
