Some people just can’t help but share their completed COVID vaccination cards on social media. Thursday, the FBI’s Chicago office urged people to remove those posts — unless they’re interested in having their identities stolen.
“If you have already posted a picture of your vaccination card to social media, remove it immediately,” the federal agency said in a press release. “These cards may contain your name, date of birth, insurance information, or more and may be used to steal your identity or commit fraud.”
And, the feds warned, anyone who creates, buys, or sells fraudulent COVID-19 vaccination cards is violating federal law. For one thing, unauthorized use of a government agency’s seal on a fake card could result in “hefty fines and prison time,” the FBI said.
“Be skeptical of unsolicited offers of miracle cures or vaccination documents,” the agency continued. You might want to be skeptical of miracle cures and vaccination documents that were solicited, too, but that’s our advice, not the FBI’s.
Anyone with information about fraudulent COVID vaccination cards can file a report with the agency at 800-CALL-FBI or via the bureau’s anonymous tip line: tips.fbi.gov