The Better Business Bureau knows you’re excited to receive your COVID-19 vaccination card, but sharing photos of the sensitive document across social media platforms can backfire.
The consumer-centric nonprofit fraud watchdog group warned in a recent news release against sharing images of the cards online because it not only increases vulnerability to identity theft but also gives scammers ample templates for creating fake versions that undermine the nationwide inoculation campaign.
“Unfortunately, your card has your full name and birthday on it, as well as information about where you got your vaccine. If your social media privacy settings aren’t set high, you may be giving valuable information away for anyone to use,” the bureau stated, noting scammers in Great Britain were caught selling fake vaccination cards on TikTok and eBay.
Instead, the bureau recommends either snapping pictures of the sticker received after being vaccinated or customizing a frame around social media profile pictures as a way to share excitement about the vaccine.
Social media users should also consider checking their personal security settings on all platforms to see what information you are sharing and with whom.
“If you only want friends and family to see your posts, be sure that’s how your privacy settings are configured,” the BBB recommended.
Kelly Moore, associate director of the Immunization Action Coalition, which is supporting frontline workers who will administer COVID-19 vaccinations, told CNN that the vaccination cards will be used as the “simplest” way to track inoculations.
According to the latest figures released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 32 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in the United States to date, or roughly 65% of the nearly 50 million doses distributed nationwide.
Meanwhile, those doses represent only 6 million Americans receiving full, two-dose vaccinations, while more than 26 million people have received only the first of two vaccine doses required, the CDC reported.
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