Below you’ll find a list of the COVID-19 vaccine-related scams CERT NZ is aware of that are affecting New Zealanders. We are actively working to put a stop to these scams as quickly as possible. Remember, the best way you can help us stop a scam is by reporting it to CERT NZ.
Scam: Email about taking part in a COVID-19 vaccine survey
First appeared: 10 March 2021
Details: People have received a scam email with subject line ‘COVID-19.Vaccine.research.survey…[numbers]’ (the numbers change for each email). The email stated they had been selected to take part in vaccine research by completing a ‘short 30-second survey about COVID-19 vaccines’ in exchange for a customer reward up to the value of $120.
What to do: If you have received an email like this, please:
- Don’t click on any of the links.
- Report it to CERT NZ by forwarding the original email to covid@ops.cert.govt.nz.
- If you have clicked on any of the links we will be able to advise you of any next steps.
- Block the sender and delete the email from your system
Scam: We are aware of two scams appearing from the week beginning Monday 8 March for the public to be aware of:
- CERT NZ was made aware of an email scam claiming to offer money for taking a survey on the Pfizer vaccine.
- CERT NZ was made aware of a compromised Facebook account that has been used to solicit payments from people claiming they are eligible for COVID-19 relief payments.
Scam: Phone call about the vaccine being for sale
First appeared: 20 February 2021
Details: The scammer calls to advise the vaccine is available for $49.99. You are given the choice to press 1 to continue or 2 to cancel.
This is a way to automate getting people on the line for a scammer to then get their credit card details, gain access to their computer or exploit them some other way.
What to do:
- Do not press anything. Hang up.
- Make a note of the phone number that called you, if possible, and the time and date it was made and report it to CERT NZ.
- If you’ve provided any banking details or installed any software report the incident to your bank immediately.
Scam: Phone call about voting to secure your vaccine
First appeared: 20 February 2021
Details: The scammer asks you to go to your computer, guiding you to vote to be able to secure a vaccine. The scammer claims that once you’re online to vote/have voted, you’ll receive a payment.
What to do:
- Do not press anything. Hang up.
- Make a note of the phone number that called you, if possible, and the time and date it was made and report it to CERT NZ.
- If you’ve provided any banking details or installed any software report the incident to CERT NZ and your bank immediately.
Remember: the COVID-19 vaccine is free. At no point will you be asked to pay for the vaccine, or pay for your place in the queue. You will never be asked for your bank account or card details.
Vaccines will be rolled out through a COVID-19 immunisation programme as supply becomes available. Border and managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) workers are being vaccinated first.
Vaccinations for the general public are expected to begin in the second half of 2021. Further information about the rollout is available at https://covid19.govt.nz/ External Link