Nevada attorney general warns about fake vaccination cards

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David J. Phillip / AP

A vaccination record card is shown during a COVID-19 vaccination drive Tuesday, March 16, 2021, in Houston.

Mon, Apr 19, 2021 (3:05 p.m.)

State prosecutors are reminding people that fraudsters selling or using fake COVID-19 vaccination cards are breaking the law and possibly extending the pandemic.

“These deceptive cards threaten the health of our communities. They delay our ability to protect from the virus, and they may violate many state laws,” Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford said today.

Ford said he doesn't know how many fake cards have might have been sold in Nevada but warned people to be vigilant about possible scams.

The fake cards might even include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention logo that is printed on legitimate cards.

Legitimate cards are given onsite with the the shot. Nobody needs to pay for a card, Ford said.

Laura Tucker, Nevada’s Senior Deputy Attorney General, said charges for selling or knowingly using a forged card would be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Karissa Loper, chief of the state Bureau of Child, Family and Community Wellness, said fake cards can’t skew actual vaccination data because the state tracks shots using its own secure database. But if unvaccinated people use the cards to access places or services where proof of vaccine is required, that could put public health at risk, she said.

Ford also reminded people to not post their vaccine cards online. They contain personal information, including names, birthdates, patient numbers and specific drug information.

“Every time I see someone post a card, I cringe,” he said.

Ford joined with 45 other state attorneys general recently in sending letters to major online shopping and social media platforms to monitor their platforms for ads or links to purchase fake cards. They asked the sites to remove the information and preserve records about the sellers.

The FBI has also released a statement urging people not to buy fake vaccination cards.

Fake cards are selling from $20 to $250, according to reports from internet security companies.

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