DOS
September 23, 2021
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CONSUMER ALERT: NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF CONSUMER PROTECTION WARNS NEW YORKERS ABOUT THE RISKS OF FAKE COVID-19 VACCINATION CARDS |
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Buying Fake Vaccine Cards or Filling the Blanks with False Information is Illegal and Could Land People in Jail Vaccines are Safe and Effective – NYers Should Get Vaccinated Instead of Seeking out Fake Cards New Yorkers Can Now Report Vaccine-Related Fraud by Calling 833-VAX-SCAM (833-829-7226) or Emailing STOPVAXFRAUD@health.ny.gov The New York State Division of Consumer Protection (DCP) today warned New Yorkers about the risks of using or buying fake COVID-19 vaccination cards. As more and more places are requiring proof of vaccination, scammers are taking advantage of this opportunity by selling fake verification tools including fake cards, certificates, test results or even doctors’ notes. New Yorkers should be aware that buying fake vaccine cards, making their own or filling the blanks with false information is illegal and could land them in jail. The vaccines have repeatedly been proven to be safe. Opting for a fake vaccination card instead of getting vaccinated is an unnecessary health – and legal – risk. “With more companies requiring proof of vaccination from employees and customers, New Yorkers should be aware that scammers are hard at work producing fake vaccine cards,” Secretary of State Rossana Rosado said. “Our Division of Consumer Protection and other law enforcement authorities are working hard to prevent illegal activities by these scammers that put us all at risk.” State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said, "Our highest priority is helping to ensure the health and safety of New Yorkers as we work together to combat COVID-19. Fake vaccination cards are a betrayal of public trust and an incredible disservice to our communities who have fought diligently to defeat COVID-19. The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective and I encourage all unvaccinated New Yorkers to get vaccinated. I thank the Department of State for continuing to raise awareness on the risks of fake vaccine cards and thank them for their commitment to the safety of New Yorkers.” State Police Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen said, “Making or possessing fake COVID-19 vaccination cards are serious crimes. We are taking this issue very seriously due to the tremendous risk presented by these false documents. Anyone found to be involved with forged vaccine cards will be charged and face the legal consequences.” The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has received several complaints from people reporting cases of possible fraud related to COVID-19 vaccination. For instance, a consumer reported receiving counterfeit CDC vaccination cards in a vaccine card holder ordered online. The order included blank cards that anyone could forge to mimic authentic CDC vaccination cards. The FTC also received complaints of websites offering, for a fee, vaccine waivers and medical exemptions without seeing a doctor. The FTC is investigating these and other cases of possible vaccine fraud. To avoid a run in with the law or being a victim of a crime, the Division of Consumer Protection warns:
New Yorkers are also encouraged to install the NYS Excelsior Pass Wallet app from the Apple Store or Google Play, or to retrieve their Passes here. Excelsior Pass and Excelsior Pass Plus are free, secure, voluntary platforms that provide digital proof or a digital copy of COVID-19 vaccination and/or negative test results. Passes can be displayed on any smart device or can be printed from any computer. About the New York State Division of Consumer Protection The New York State Division of Consumer Protection serves to educate, assist, and empower the State’s consumers. Consumers can file a complaint with the Division of Consumer Protection at https://dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection. For more consumer protection information, call the DCP Helpline at 800-697-1220, Monday through Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm or visit the DCP website at https://dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection. The Division can also be reached via Twitter at @NYSConsumer or Facebook at www.facebook.com/nysconsumer.
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