Yonkers Insider: Westchester County Legislator Kitley Covill, 2nd District: Vaccine Scams.

 

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The Westchester County Department of Consumer Protection is warning all Westchester residents to be vigilant for COVID-19 vaccine scams as we enter the next phase of the pandemic.

Scammers often sound professional, but please do not be fooled. There is an official process and order for the vaccine rollout, and vaccines and vaccine access will not be sold.  Anyone calling you asking for money or personal information in order to get access to the vaccine is a scammer, and if contacted, you need to know the rules and do NOT give personal information over the phone to these tricksters. 

Tips for Westchester residents based on tricks scammers are using:

• Vaccines will be rolled out in an organized fashion and is expected to be free.
• There are no sign-up lists for the vaccine.
• You cannot pay to get your vaccine earlier.
• Medicare or Social Security will NOT be calling you about getting your vaccine (scammers often act like they are calling from government agencies).
• SSN, credit card or bank information is NOT needed before you are able to get vaccine.

If you are contacted by someone trying to sell you early access to the vaccine, it is a scam.  Hang up immediately. Please also report them to the Westchester Consumer Protection at 914-995-2155 or at ConPro@westchestergov.com.

Also, beware of scammers or even salespeople offering to sell you unnecessary products, treatments or medicines to prevent the virus - always check with your doctor first.

Please forward this E-News to family and friends who may be interested in this information.

Very truly yours,
Kitley S. Covill