I don’t know about all of you, but I’ve seen quite a few photos with friends’ vaccination cards on my social media feeds. I can’t tell you exactly how many – because, honestly, I forgot –but I can tell you that every time I saw one it generated a mixed reaction. On the one hand, I was delighted with my friends posting, many of whom are health workers or educators, I got a vaccine. However, another part of me felt uneasy. Posting a photo with personal and vaccine information seemed like a bad idea.
It seems that Federal Trade Commission share my anxiety. In a blog on the subject posted on Friday, the agency strictly stated that social networks are not the place to share your covid-19 vaccination cards. It’s easy punished people celebrating the second dose of covid-19—La current vaccines approved in the US requires two photos – with “tired enthusiasm that is usually reserved for weddings, new children and other life events”
I think people have a right to be happy that they got the vaccine. This pandemic was terrible and devastating. And really, if you’ve already received the vaccine, I’m very happy for you and I hope you feel a little more at ease. However, a festive image is not worth the trouble it could generate along the way.
“Please – don’t do this! You might invite identity theft, ”wrote Seena Gressin, FTC, a lawyer for the consumer education and business division.
As explained by the agency, covid-19 the vaccination card contains important information about you, such as your full name, date of birth, where you received the vaccine, and when you received it. Posting this on social media is like voluntarily giving bad actors something to look for.
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Gressin compared identity theft to a puzzle, which is made up of pieces of your personal information. You don’t want to give thieves what they need to finish your puzzle, she said.
“One of those pieces is your birthday,” Gressin said. “For example, just by knowing your date and place of birth, scammers can sometimes guess most of the numbers on your social security number. Once identity thieves have the parts they need, they can use the information to open new accounts in your name, claim refunds for themselves, and engage in other identity theft.
Another concern, as mentioned by New York Times, is that vaccine cards could be forged by people who have not received a vaccine or do not intend to receive it in order to have access to jobs, restaurants or events. A December report in the British press, The Sun, said some people were already selling counterfeit vaccination cards on TikTok.
Even worse, the Times says scammers could even use it information to persuade people to pay for the second dose of vaccine or for any future booster shots. In the US, government-bought vaccines are offered free of charge, although the vaccination provider is entitled to an administrative fee for giving someone the chance, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The list of possible falls on an innocent photo can go on.
This does not mean that government officials and experts say that you cannot post any image about this important moment on social media. However, they have a suggestion: Take a picture of vaccine sticker offered at some sites. Or the bandage on your injection arm. According to the FTC, the latter gives you the opportunity to “show your tattoos and deltoids at the same time.”
I personally like the sticker. And, hey, we already have experience taking selfies with “Vote” stickers. Doing this with “I have my Covid-19 vaccine!” stickers will be a walk in the park.
It’s better to be safe than sorry.