If you have been a victim of a COVID-19 related scam, report it to our Consumer Protection Unit at de.gov/consumer or by phone at (800) 220-5424.
Scammers, unfortunately, never take a break, even during a global pandemic. If anything, scammers have increased their already sophisticated tactics of targeting vulnerable members of our community, including the elderly.
Everyone should be on high alert regarding any phone scams in which scammers claim to be from the State of Delaware or another public agency and offering the COVID-19 vaccine for a cost or a fee.
In other cases, Delawareans may receive an email asking them to complete a COVID-19 vaccine survey, which leads you to enter personal or banking information.
This is simply false and if you receive a call like this, hang up immediately. If you receive an email like this, do not respond.
Never give out any personal like your social security information or banking information.
Remember, the COVID-19 vaccine is free of charge, no health insurance is required, and you do not have to pay a fee to be placed on any list. Anyone who tells you differently is a scammer.
Report scams to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP
Delawareans who become victims of a COVID-related scam should file a consumer complaint with our office at de.gov/consumercomplaint or by phone at (800) 220-5424.
Tips:
You can’t pay to put your name on a list to get the vaccine. That’s a scam.
Nobody legit will call, text, or email about the vaccine and ask for your Social Security, bank account, or credit card number. That’s a scam.
Additionally, be on the lookout for:
Fake COVID-19 vaccination cards.
Counterfeit COVID-19 vaccination cards aren’t just a threat to public safety—people who buy them may put themselves at risk for fraud by providing scammers with financial or personal information. Protect your health and your financial information by getting your FREE COVID-19 vaccine from a pharmacy, community vaccination sites, or other vaccination events provided by the State of Delaware. Visit vaccinerequest.delaware.gov for more information.
No, you can’t buy or pay to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Beware of fake COVID-19 vaccine registration events.
If you are unsure whether an event is legitimate or not, before providing ANY information via phone or online, confirm with the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services by email at vaccine@delaware.gov.
Why should you get the COVID-19 vaccine?
All of us want to return to some type of normalcy, including visiting our loved ones, sending our kids back to school in person, and doing our pre-pandemic routine activities. The first step in getting there is to get COVID-19 vaccinated.
Vaccines are the best defense we have against infectious diseases. There are many reasons to get the vaccine when it becomes available to you, but the most compelling one is that it could protect you and those around you from this life-threatening virus.
It’s not just safe to get the COVID-19 vaccine; it’s also the most effective way to prevent getting COVID-19.
The FDA will only approve vaccines for release under these emergency conditions that have data proving its safety and that meet or exceed minimum efficacy thresholds. Experts believe getting the COVID-19 vaccine may help you from getting seriously ill even if you do get the virus.
Once you do get the vaccine, it is still important to continue to protect yourself and loved ones, and help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Continue wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, washing your hands, and staying home if you’re sick. If you feel sick, get COVID-19 tested by visiting a location near you at de.gov/gettested.
Delawareans who have questions about COVID-19, COVID-19 testing locations, COVID-19 vaccines, or other COVID-19 related matters should visit coronavirus.delaware.gov.
