FBI Issues Warning Over COVID-19 Vaccine Scams

If you find yourself on the receiving end of an email or text that solicits your participation in a "post-vaccine survey," the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) would like a word with you.

That word would be DON'T.

If it's already happened to you, don't worry about being in trouble with the FBI, because you're not. You may, however, find yourself having identity theft-related troubles because of taking part in the "survey."

The FBI Field Office in Omaha says that they've gotten multiple reports from people who've been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 that they've been contacted through text and/or email about taking part in this supposed post-vaccination survey. In order to help convince people to take part, they've been offered cash or prizes for their participation.

There are a couple of big problems with this scenario. One is that there are absolutely no prizes and zero cash. The second problem, bigger than the first one, is that it's nothing but an attempt to steal your personal information.

If you're wondering how taking part in a survey leads to ID theft, it's because they'll tell you that they need some information from you in order to send you your cash and/or prizes. They don't need much, according to the FBI, just things like your name, address, phone number, and your Social Security number--and that's pretty much all it takes for them to start using your ID for nefarious purposes.

KETV-Omaha:

Crooks are also sending out a bogus post-vaccine survey, promising a prize, such as an IPAD Pro or cash after filling out the form. All you have to do is pay for shipping with your credit card and that's how they get your personal information. The FBI always said stop posting pictures of your legitimate vaccine card on social media.