Getting vaccinated is a momentous occasion to share with the world — here's how to do so safely
As Covid-19 vaccine distribution rollout ramps up in certain parts of the world, an increasing number of people are posting images of their vaccination cards online. It’s a way to celebrate; to say, “Hey! I got this and you should too!”. But unfortunately, it’s also opening you up to identity theft and fraud.
“Publishing pictures of your vaccination certificate can seem like a way to celebrate a major milestone in getting closer to the end of the difficult experiences of the past year in the pandemic,” Avast Senior Global Threat Communications Manager Christopher Budd says. “It can also seem like a good way to encourage others who might be ‘vaccine negative’ or undecided. But taking a picture of your actual card and posting it isn't the best way to accomplish these things and can increase your risks around identity theft.”
Budd points out that in the United States, the CDC Covid-19 vaccination card has your full name, date of birth, Covid-19 vaccine maker and lot number, date of vaccination, and the healthcare professional or clinic site that administered it.
“The full name and birthday are potentially enough for someone to try and initiate identity theft against you, especially if they can combine it with other personal information that may be publicly available through public records and/or social media,” he says. “Additionally, the specific information about the vaccine, vaccination date, and who administered it could enable someone to try and gain access to personal health information by posing as you can calling ‘to check’ on something.”
Even if all of the information on ..
Support the originator by clicking the read the rest link below.
