Fraud Tip

Don't Flaunt Your COVID-19 Vaccine Card

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Don't Flaunt Your COVID-19 Vaccine Card on Facebook

Revealing sensitive personal data on social media can trigger identity theft

Once you have received your COVID-19 vaccine, even though you may be tempted to flaunt your happiness, do not post a photo of your vaccine card on social media.

Typically, such cards contain your name, date of birth, patient number and other information that scammers can use to steal your identity and commit fraud. That's especially true if your privacy settings on Facebook, Instagram or other social media platforms are not restricted, allowing the image to be widely shared. Even where you were vaccinated should be kept private. If you've already posted a photo of a vaccine card, here are some options: Remove it; redact the information that should be confidential and repost the image; or replace the image with a harmless sticker that gives you bragging rights for having rolled up your sleeve — but doesn't jeopardize your identity. Or, consider putting a new “frame” that conveys your vaccine status around your profile photo. You don't want to give scammers any information because they constantly build a profile on you. It could be 10 years before they act on what they've discovered.

As for your date of birth, a scammer considers that a coveted piece of information. So if you must tell friends on social media the month and day you were born, consider misstating the year — even by decades — to keep scammers unaware.

Source: AARP

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