Covidshield - scamsters' latest weapon to get your personal information

Covidshield: scamsters' latest weapon to get your personal information 

Scams involving Covidshield seek to obtain personal data.

Here are some tips for self-defense:

Scammers may use unsolicited calls or texts claiming to offer surveys or benefits relating to Covidshield; be careful of such attempts to obtain personal information.

Fraudsters may pose as authorities in order to control victims by taking advantage of their uncertainty and anxiety.

Avoid clicking on links or giving personal information to strangers, especially on suspicious websites or social media.

To prevent being a victim of Covidshield frauds, use caution and double-check information from reliable sources.

Scam Alert: COVID-19 Vaccine

The first COVID-19 vaccines have arrived in New Hampshire and are being given first to directly affected groups, like at-risk healthcare workers, residents of long-term care facilities, and first responders. The general public should check the Vaccination Planning website for updates about future distribution: https://www.nh.gov/covid19/resources-guidance/vaccination-planning.htm

Because of high demand for the vaccine, scammers may try to steal money or personal information by pretending to offer fast access to a COVID-19 vaccination.

Protect yourself from COVID-19 vaccine scams Any phone call or email that promises a quick COVID-19 vaccination in exchange for money or personal information is a scam.

If you get a call like this, hang up right away. Do not open or reply to emails from unknown senders.

The COVID-19 vaccine will be free for everyone in the US, no matter their insurance status. Contact your healthcare and insurance providers for details about how to get the COVID-19 vaccine and any related office-visit costs. More distribution information is available here: https://www.nh.gov/covid19/resources-guidance/vaccination-planning.htm

To get the COVID-19 vaccine in New Hampshire, you will NEVER be asked:

For any payment to reserve a vaccine for you or someone else, For any payment to schedule an appointment for the vaccine for you or someone else, To give confidential personal information, like a social security number, bank, or credit card details, to reserve a vaccine or an appointment; or To provide cash, money orders, gift cards, or any other form of payment to get access to the COVID-19 vaccine.

Protect yourself from COVID-19 vaccine scams:

Hang up if you do not know or trust the caller. Call 2-1-1 for vaccine information or the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Hotline to report suspected scam calls or emails: Phone: 1-888-468-4454 Email: DOJ-CPB@doj.nh.gov.

Never give personal information, like your social security number or date of birth, without verifying the person you are talking to.

Never give banking information without verifying the person you are talking to.

Never wire money to someone you don't know. If someone you don't know asks you to send money through a wire service like Western Union or MoneyGram, it is likely a scam.

Do not open any unexpected emails or attachments if they are not from a known or trusted source or if they have suspicious subject lines or no subject lines, even if they appear to be from a known sender.

Be cautious of emails that link to a website lacking details about who runs the company, where it is based, or without a contact phone number. If the offer seems "too good to be true," it probably is. Visit www.nh.gov/covid19 for vaccine updates and other COVID-19 information.