FBI Warns To Not Fall For Fraudulent COVID Vaccine Passports

Now the FBI has made it known that they are serious about the creation, and distribution of COVID-19 vaccination record cards. They have pledged to go after anyone who is doing so.

Many major corporations have been working with the Biden Administration to establish a nationwide vaccine passport. This passport has been rolled out in some states, most notably last month when New York rolled out its own vaccine passport. Entertainment venues and many sports events will require state residents to show these passports in order to get in.

The FBI headed to Twitter to warn people over social media about the dangers of using fake vaccine passports.

“We’ve all seen friends posting their #COVID19 vaccination cards on social media,” wrote the Minneapolis branch of the FBI on social media. “If you make or buy a fake one to misrepresent your vaccination status, you endanger other people and may also be breaking the law.”

We've all seen friends posting their #COVID19 vaccination cards on social media. If you make or buy a fake one to misrepresent your vaccination status, you endanger other people and may also be breaking the law. Learn more: https://t.co/AAZWyW64fi pic.twitter.com/jVVZbpP0We

— FBI Minneapolis (@FBIMinneapolis) March 31, 2021

In the tweet, the Minneapolis branch linked a press release from the Internet Crime Complaint Center titled “If You Make or Buy a Fake COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card, You Endanger Yourself and Those Around You, and You Are Breaking the Law.”

The Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), and the FBI are advising the public to be aware of individuals selling fake COVID-19 vaccination record cards and encouraging others to print fake cards at home. Fake vaccination record cards have been advertised on social media websites, as well as e-commerce platforms and blogs.

“Vaccination record cards are intended to provide recipients of the COVID-19 vaccine with information about the type of vaccine they received, and when they may be able to receive a second dose of the vaccine. If you did not receive the vaccine, do not buy fake vaccine cards, do not make your own vaccine cards, and do not fill in blank vaccination record cards with false information. By misrepresenting yourself as vaccinated when entering schools, mass transit, workplaces, gyms, or places of worship, you put yourself and others around you at risk of contracting COVID-19. Additionally, the unauthorized use of an official government agency’s seal (such as HHS or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)) is a crime and may be punishable under Title 18 United States Code, Section 1017, and other applicable laws.

Because individuals may use fake vaccine cards to misrepresent themselves as vaccinated, we strongly encourage businesses, schools, places of worship, and government agencies to follow CDC guidance and continue to maintain social distancing and use personal protective equipment. If you did receive the vaccine, we recommend you do not post photos of your vaccine card to social media websites—your personal information could be stolen to commit fraud. For more information about the dangers of sharing your vaccination status on social media.”

The agency also added a way for anybody to report fake vaccination record cards in their last statement. “To report suspicious activity involving fake vaccination record cards, please contact the appropriate government agency in your state or jurisdiction, HHS-OIG (1-800-HHS-TIPS or www.oig.hhs.gov); or the Internet Crime Complaint Center (www.ic3.gov).”