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BBB Scam Alert: COVID-19 vaccine passports are coming; scams are sure to follow

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 Rachel Gartner

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (BBB) -- Vaccine passports, digital records of an individual’s COVID-19 vaccination status â€� are on their way. This is likely to be a QR code on your phone, which you scan to enter a flight or event. As with any major new initiative, scammers always find ways to take advantage of the confusion and anxiety surrounding change.ÌýBe on the lookout for vaccine passport cons.Ìý

Vaccine Passport Apps are Rolling Out

In the United States, a group of companies is , which could be used for travel and attending large events. The Canadian government recently announced they are  for international travel.

In fact, vaccine passport apps are already in use in some places. Right now, on certain , passengers can use an app to show they meet Hawaii’s negative COVID-19 test requirement. New York State launched , an app that pulls from the state's COVID-19 vaccine registry to confirm vaccination status. Internationally, .

Tips to Avoid Vaccine Passport Cons:

The companies developing the passport apps hope the technology will allow industries � such as travel and events � to return to normal while minimizing the spread of COVID-19.

However, scams are very likely to pop up as the apps roll out. Here's what to watch out for: 

  • Be skeptical of any vaccine passport app that claims to be from the U.S. federal government. Right now, the . Email, calls, text messages that claim the government is requiring such a passport are likely scams.
  • Flying or attending an event? Check with the company directly.ÌýYou may need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test or vaccine to attend an event or board a flight. As with all things related to COVID-19, policies are frequently changing. Be sure to check with your airline, sports team, event venue, etc. beforehand to get the latest details.
  • Don’t buy fraudulent vaccine cards.ÌýDon’t support scammers and undermine the vaccine effort by . Misrepresenting yourself as vaccinated means you put yourself and others around you at risk of contracting COVID-19.
  • Research carefully. If you receive an invitation to download a COVID-19 vaccine passport app, be sure to do your research before entering your personal information. Scammers are very creative, so be skeptical of anything that seems too good â€� or crazy â€� to be true. Double-check any information against official news sources and company websites.
  • Guard your government-issued numbers. Never offer your Medicare ID number, Social Security number, health plan information, or banking information to anyone you don’t know or trust.Ìý.Ìý
  • Think the link may be real? Double-check the URL.ÌýScammers often buy official-looking URL domains to use in their cons. Be careful to ensure that the link destination is really what it claims to be. If the message claims to be from the government, make sure the URL ends in .gov (for the United States) or .ca (for Canada). When in doubt, perform a separate internet search for the website or call the source directly.