Beware COVID-19 vaccine scams
With the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines, many myths, fears and now scams have surfaced.
Watch out for scams involving paying for priority access, private shipments and/or jumping ahead on waitlists for a fee.
Some estimates show that most people in the US will have to wait several months before getting access to the vaccine. Starting in December, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a priority group list of who should get vaccinated first with health care workers and residents and staff of nursing homes at the very top of the list.
However, the CDC’s recommendation isn’t law, and now several states have drafted their own priority lists adding to the confusion and resentment among groups who believe they should be prioritized.
In the meantime while priorities are being sorted out, protect yourself by ignoring unsolicited emails, texts and phone calls asking you to pay for priority access to a COVID-19 vaccine. Don’t click on online advertisements or web pages that promise priority access for a fee.
Also, watch out for event platforms such as Eventbrite. Scammers may steal your personal information when you submit it through their signup forms. When it's time for you to get the vaccine, call your health care facility to arrange to get the vaccine.
Regarding the cost of the vaccine, it is expected to be free whether or not you have health insurance. However, you might get a bill for a vaccine administration fee or other copay, but it’s unclear whether these fees are required to be paid in full by insurance companies. Protect yourself by not paying any money for the vaccine ahead of time.
Ignore any requests for fees to get on a waitlist and don’t provide your personal or financial information to anyone asking you for it. If you do call your health care facility, they may put you on a waitlist but there should not be a charge to do so.
Finally, avoid unofficial sources for information about the vaccine availability and stick with official local sources.
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Warning to Citi Card customers
Citibank has issued a warning to customers that it recently discovered a phishing scam and wanted to make sure customers were aware of the situation. This scam involves the scammers contacting you to obtain information that would allow them to access your account. Fraudsters have been contacting customers via email, text or phone, impersonating a Citi employee.
The fraud team wants customers to know that if a Citi employee does contact you, it is to verify suspicious activity or requests for account information. When they reach out to you in these situations, Citi will not ask you to provide any of the following information:
*Your account number
*Existing security word (i.e. mother's maiden name)
*PIN number
*Online User ID or online password
*Checking account information (from your account payment history)
*One-time passcode.
If you receive a one-time passcode that you didn't initiate, do not provide the code to anyone who contacts you requesting it.
If you receive a suspicious communication, don't respond and do not use any contact information provided or click on any links.
If you have concerns and want to verify a communication, please contact the company directly at www.citi.com, in the Citi mobile app or by calling the number on the back of your card. Suspicious emails can be forwarded to spoof@citi.com.
The company says they're constantly monitoring customers' accounts for fraudulent activity and will alert you if they notice anything suspicious. Also make sure you have your current contact information on your account in case you need to be reached quickly.
Check your credit report regularly to ensure that the accounts listed are the ones you have created. If you'd like to receive a copy of your credit report, you can call one of the reporting agencies: Experian (888) 397-3742, TransUnion (800) 916-8800 or Equifax (800) 685-1111 or go to their websites.
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Are stimulus debit cards legitimate?
Several readers have called or emailed to ask about the legitimacy of the Economic Impact Payment debit card they received in the mail. The answer is yes, as long as the card is sponsored by the Treasury Department’s Bureau of the Fiscal Service, managed by Money Network Financial, LLC and issued by The Treasury’s financial agent, MetaBank®, N.A.
The EIP Card will be sent in a white envelop from “Economic Impact Payment Card,” and the notice inside will display the U.S. Department of Treasury Seal.
The card has the Visa name on the front and the issuing bank, MetaBank®, N.A., on the back.
Information included with the EIP Card will explain that this is your stimulus payment. Note, there could be fees associated with using your card so read the instructions carefully to avoid the fees. If you'd like more information on the EIP Card, go to www.IRS.gov/eip.
Some readers have asked why they received a debit card rather than a direct deposit when their account information hasn’t changed since last time. There isn’t a clear explanation other than the IRS is sending debit cards when they don’t think they have routing and account information on file.
Also, if an EIP was sent to an account that was closed or no longer active, the financial institution must, by law, return the payment to the IRS.
Usually if you file a joint tax return with your spouse, both of your names should appear on the debit card with the proper amount loaded on the card in the event your tax return has more than just the two of you in the household. However, the correspondence on the envelope may be addressed to just one name or the other.
If in doubt, check the IRS website for additional information as listed above.
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Remember: I’m on your side.
If you have encountered a consumer issue that you have questions about or think our readers should know about, please send me an email at terridickersonadvocate@gmail.com or call me at (208) 274-4458. As The CDA Press Consumer Gal, I’m here to help. I’m a copywriter working with businesses on marketing strategy, a columnist, a veterans advocate and a consumer advocate living in Coeur d’Alene.