As the Nations slowly reopens after a year of being shut due to the Covid-19 pandemic, many concerts, events, restaurants, and workplaces ask customers for proof of having got the COVID-19 shot. Several countries, Israel, Slovenia, and Estonia, among others, also need a vaccination certificate before you can enter.
"If You Make or Buy a Fake COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card, You Endanger Yourself and Those Around You, and You Are Breaking the Law" [1]
Covid-19 Vaccination Certificate
This document has become a big problem in the United States. Nearly 252 million vaccine doses have been given and a certificate issued to people. The certificate displays the full name, date of birth, type of vaccine, and dose dates to keep track of immunization. However, there are many Americans who are not getting themselves vaccinated but are procuring the certificate fraudulently. They are very easy to fake and easy to obtain if you have laptops with internet access and a printer.
Fake Vaccination Certificates - Between $100 and $200
Security firms have found out that you can get counterfeit American vaccination certificates online for between $100 and $200. You can also get fake COVID-19 negative test results for as little as $25. The issue came into the limelight when a bar owner in Acampo, California, was arrested for selling fake vaccine certificates. He was charged with multiple felonies, including forgery of a government seal and identity theft. This information was provided by the District Attorney's Office of San Joaquin County. He also got charged with a misdemeanor for creating a false medical record.
"But the FBI continues to warn people, don't think that a faked vaccination card isn't a crime. It really is, and if discovered, you could be held responsible." [2]
FBI Warns Public on Fake Covid-19 Vaccination Certificate – It's a Crime
The FBI, in a tweet, mentioned that the public needs to be aware that a faked vaccination card is a crime. It warned people against buying them on social media, e-commerce platforms, and blogs. Besides the crime of buying a fake vaccination certificate, it is important to remember that you may unwittingly be responsible for spreading the virus. You will be endangering not only yourself but also your loved ones and other people around you. The problems associated with the sale of fake vaccination cards were also mentioned by Tori Verber Salazar, the District Attorney for San Joaquin County. As per him, this was a serious matter and very disheartening that "members in our community show flagrant disregard for public health amid a pandemic."
Report Sale of fake Covid-19 Vaccine Certificates
Members of the public have been requested to report the sale of fake vaccine certificates to the Health and Human Services at 1-800-HHS Tips or through the Internet Crime Complaint Center website.
"To report suspicious activity involving fake vaccination record cards, please contact the appropriate government agency in your state or jurisdiction, HHS-OIG (1-800-HHS-TIPS or www.oig.hhs.gov); or the Internet Crime Complaint Center (www.ic3.gov)." [1]
RESOURCE:
[1] https://www.ic3.gov/Media/Y2021/PSA210330
