As Alaska received its initial batches of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine over the weekend, there have been questions about which Alaskans should seek out a vaccination first. That process has already been decided, but according to Alaska’s Medicare Information Office, scammers are taking advantage of the general public’s confusion to harm those seeking out the vaccine.
In a release issued on Monday, the state’s Medicare Information Office advised Alaskans of several tips to keep in-mind, to avoid any scamming when it comes to the COVID vaccine:
- You likely will not need to pay anything out of pocket to get the vaccine during this public health emergency.
- You cannot pay to put your name on a list to get the vaccine.
- You cannot pay to get early access to 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 Social Security number, your credit card, or bank account information to sign you up to get the vaccine.
- Beware of providers offering other products, treatments, or medicines to prevent the virus. Check with your health care provider before paying for or receiving any COVID-19-related treatment.
They also note that if you receive a call, text, e-mail, or even someone physically knocking at your front door claiming they can get early access to the vaccine, end that communication immediately. It’s a scam.
The state’s Medicaid Information Office say that are working with federal partners to reduce further scams, but they ask that anyone who thinks they may have been involved in such activity should notify the office. They can be reached via e-mail at hss.medicare@alaska.gov or telephone at (800) 478-6065.