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There is a growing new trend with people posting proof of getting their Coronavirus vaccine on social media. While the act may seem harmless, as more countries are starting to mull requirements for vaccination records, your information is at risk of being used to counterfeit, says cybersecurity expert and Fortalice Solutions CEO Theresa Payton.
In the United States, it is not mandated to have a vaccination card to enter establishments or travel, but in other countries it soon will be. Knowing that factor will push criminals to seek out information across the internet. What makes the cards easy to manipulate is the lack of identifying information such as a watermark along with the card being produced in a paper format.
“We really don’t have a digital health wallet that’s universal across the United States,” Payton told WBT’s Bo Thompson Morning Show on Wednesday.
“I know the security company Clear, which some people have seen at airport kiosks, is offering to link your COVID-19 vaccination record to your travel identity. So, when you’re traveling to other countries you’ll have an electronic accepted form of passing it on.”
Payton warned that some of those who’ve received the COVID-19 vaccine could face identity theft issues in the future.
“If you’ve already posted your vaccine card or information on social media, go back and take a look. You may want to take that picture down or block the images,” Payton said.
“Secondly, warn your friends and family. If they’re going online to some of these sites that say “we can give you a vaccination card, even without a vaccination,” be careful. You might be defrauded. They may take you personal, identifiable information and then go use it.”
More than 110 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in the U.S. as of Tuesday, with 72.1 million Americans having received at least one dose.
Listen to the entire interview with Theresa Payton below.
