Baroody warns Steuben seniors, public of vaccine scams

BATH – Senior citizens and their loved ones should be alert to scammers claiming they have special access to COVID-19 vaccines, Steuben County Office For the Aging Director Patty Baroody said. “The state’s Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) is telling us this type of fraud will move very quickly, very soon, and will take many forms,” Baroody said. “Scammers rapidly alter their tactics and adapt their schemes to the changing landscape, and we anticipate that they will leverage the pending COVID-19 vaccine to prey on the public.” Baroody said seniors, their families and the general public can guard against scams by following the following guidelines: 

• No one will likely need to pay anything out of pocket to get the vaccine during this public health emergency. 

• No one can pay to get early access to the vaccine.

 • No one from Medicare will contact residents regarding the vaccine.

 • No one from a vaccine distribution site or health care payer, like a private insurance company, will call asking for Social Security numbers, credit card or bank account information in order to sign up for the vaccine.

 • Beware of providers offering other products, treatments, or medicines to prevent the virus. People should check with their health care provider before paying for, or receiving, any COVID-19-related treatment. 

• Scammers may call, text, email or go door-to-door claiming they can get someone early access to the vaccine. Do not provide personal or financial information. 

"We know getting access to registration information is a difficult process for everyone, and maybe even more frustrating for our seniors who are in a higher risk group," Baroody said. "I urge everyone to be as patient as possible as details get ironed out and more vaccine is released." Anyone believing they have been contacted with vaccine fraud case information, may call the county OFA at (607) 664-2298, or (833) 829-7226 or email stopvaxfraud@health.ny.gov.