Chelmsford Warns Seniors About COVID-19 Vaccine Scams

CHELMSFORD, MA —The town is warning residents, especially seniors, to be wary of potential scams targeting people who are looking for vaccines and released some tips on how to keep from being a victim of such a scam.

"Scammers use public health emergencies as opportunities for new fraud schemes, and because

older adults and people with disabilities are at greater risk for serious illness from COVID-19, they
may be targets," the town said in a statement.

Although the CDC and other public health officials may contact you if they believe you may have been exposed to the virus, they will not ask you for insurance or financial information.

Here are things you need to know about the vaccine to keep from being a victim of a scam:
· You likely will not need to pay anything out-of-pocket to get the vaccine.
· You cannot pay to put your name on a list to get the vaccine.
· You cannot pay to get early access to the vaccine.
· You will not be solicited door to door to receive the vaccine.
· No one from Medicare or the Health Department with contact you.
· No one from a vaccine distribution site or health care payer, like a private insurance company, will call you asking for your Medicare number, Social Security number, or your credit card or bank
account information to sign you up to get the vaccine.