Issue VII: Scams & The Vaccine

A. No, it’s very unlikely that you will have to pay.

The federal government has prepaid for hundreds of millions of vaccines to be provided for free. And Congress passed legislation(link is external) to prevent insurers from applying cost-sharing to consumers. So, it is very unlikely you will have to pay for a vaccine; however, there are still some possible situations(link is external) that could lead to fees.

A. No, you cannot pay to be put on a list for the vaccine or to get it early.

If you get a call, text, email, or someone knocking on the door claiming that you can pay to get on a list for the vaccine, or to get it early, that’s a scam. States are rolling out their doses of the vaccine according to their set priorities. You cannot pay to get it early — though the rich have already tried(link is external). Like most states, California(link is external) is providing the vaccine to health care providers and long-term care residents first.

A. No, that is a scam.

You will not get a call from a vaccine distribution site or healthcare payer, like a private insurance company, to ask for your social security number, credit card, or bank account information to sign up for the vaccine. If you receive a call like that, asking for personal information, it’s a scam.

A. Check trusted public websites like those of the CDC, the FTC, your state attorney general, and your state’s public health department.

The CDC’s website(link is external) has information on the vaccines that are currently approved, and monitors the availability of vaccines. 

The Federal Trade Commission(link is external) provides consumer alerts, so you can stay up to date on the latest scams. The California Attorney General(link is external) has a site on COVID-19 related scams as well. For those outside California, find your attorney general’s website here(link is external)

Finally, your state or local public health department likely has information on the virus in your area. California has a website on COVID-19 news(link is external), including vaccines and shelter-in-place orders. UC Berkeley also has a campus-wide website(link is external) with its vaccination plan.

A. Report suspected scams to the FTC, your state’s Attorney General, and your local District Attorney.

To report to the FTC, use the portal at ReportFraud.ftc.gov(link is external)

To report to the California AG, use this complaint portal(link is external)

To report to a state attorney general outside of California, find the info here(link is external)

Local District Attorney consumer protection units:

• Alameda County District Attorney(link is external)
• Contra Costa District Attorney(link is external)