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Beware of the COVID-19 vaccination scams out there: Kamloops RCMP

Beware of the COVID-19 vaccination scams out there: Kamloops RCMP | iNFOnews.ca
FILE PHOTO - A subject receives a shot in the first-stage safety study clinical trial of a potential vaccine by Moderna for COVID-19 at the Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute in Seattle, March 16, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Ted S. Warren

Kamloops RCMP are warning residents of some COVID-19 scams making the rounds throughout the province.

Scammers have contacted British Columbians to offer vaccinations, cures, tests and sanitizer, according to an RCMP press release.

These scams can come either by phone or email. RCMP warn to be watchful for shady contacts trying to sell vaccinations.

No reports have been filed in Kamloops related to the new circulation of scams, but Cpl. Dana Napier with the Kamloops Crime Prevention Unit wants to make sure anyone targeted knows how to deal with potential fraud.

"Vaccinations are not for sale and cannot be purchased online or by telephone," reads the release. "They can only be accessed through clinics organized or endorsed by your local public health authority."

Napier reminds the public to hang up on phone calls, delete emails you do not recognize and to not click on links within the email.

More tips on how to protect yourself from these frauds are provided from the RCMP below:

  • Find the latest COVID-19 information from BCCDC or the WHO.
  • Contact your insurance provider to answer any health insurance questions.
  • Beware of high or low priced products.
  • Beware of unsolicited medical advisory emails or texts with links or attachments.
  • Fraudsters may use spoofing, which means they make it look as if the origin of the email or text is legitimate by using identifying information similar to government and health care organizations.
  • Beware of unauthorized or fraudulent charities requesting money for victims or research.

RCMP advise anyone who has given personal information or have lost money or valuables to an organization they suspect was fraudulent, contact their local detachment and the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre here.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Levi Landry or call 250-819-3723 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

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Levi Landry

Levi Landry

Levi is a recent graduate of the Communications, Culture, & Journalism program at Okanagan College and is now based in Kamloops. After living in the BC for over four years, he finds the blue collar and neighbourly environment in the Thompson reminds him of home in Saskatchewan. Levi, who has previously been published in Kelowna’s Daily Courier, is passionate about stories focussed on both social issues and peoples’ experiences in their local community. If you have a story or tips to share, you can reach Levi at 250 819 3723 or email LLandry@infonews.ca.

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