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- Consumer advocacy groups are warning Americans to not post pictures of their CDC-issued COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card on social media.
- The information on these cards, paired with any other public info or shared details, can lead to increased identity theft risk.
- Editing your photo before posting it — or taking a different social-friendly selfie altogether — is a good way to share you’ve been vaccinated.
Regardless of which kind of vaccine you receive, or when you receive it, every American will receive a CDC-issued vaccination record card after their first shot. And since many have been waiting eagerly for weeks, it’s not uncommon to stumble upon thrilled individuals sharing photo evidence of their first shot on social sites like Twitter and Facebook. But as more individuals are queuing up for their COVID-19 vaccines, consumer advocates are actively warning Americans that posting snapshots of their vaccine card could cause way more trouble than it’s worth.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have both posted public warnings directed at those heading into their long-awaited vaccine appointment. Mainly, the risk has to do with the personal information listed on your COVID-19 vaccine card – your full name, birth date, and a potential medical record number that can be linked back to you directly. FTC agents have shared a blog post detailing how that information, paired with other public info or details you’ve shared online, can lead to identity theft. Not to mention, these cards also display the location, time and date of your first vaccine; plus, depending on your photo, you may also give away when you’ll be back for a second shot.
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But officials at the BBB also note that these seemingly innocent social posts can entice con artists to sell fraudulent vaccine card lookalikes. “Scammers in Great Britain were caught selling fake vaccination cards on eBay and TikTok,” the BBB shares. “Posting photos of your card can help provide scammers with information they can use to create and sell phony ones.”
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Rather than take a photo of your vaccine card directly, think about snapping some other aspect of your visit to the doctor’s or clinic for your shot: The bandage on your arm, a sticker or flyer that indicates you’ve been vaccinated, or stick to the simple text-only post!
Can’t help but share? Be sure to blur out everything on your card besides your name using your phone’s photo editing features. That may deter scammers from preying on you directly. Encouraging your social circle to get serious about the COVID-19 vaccine isn’t a bad idea — and if you’ve already posted a photo of your vaccine card, don’t sweat it! Be sure to edit the privacy settings on the photo’s post directly if possible. Keep the news between close friends you know and family, and on platforms like Facebook, you can ensure privacy settings reflect that.
COVID-19 vaccine cards have a very important purpose: They’re meant to provide any doctor or clinician with info about your first dose. Plus, they remind you of your second appointment for a booster shot, if applicable. Keeping them close is important, and taking photos of them directly for your own records isn’t a bad idea. At some point, they may potentially serve necessary for things like travel, as more discussions on “vaccine passports” occur in 2021. In any case, keep those cards handy — just think twice about posting a selfie with them!
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