WAVY.com

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — ​The Virginia Beach Department of Public Health (VBDPH) is warning residents of “bad actors” who may try to take advantage of those who are anxiously waiting to get vaccinated.

VBDPH says that these “actors” may register website domains related to COVID-19. They use fake websites and applications that may claim to provide an opportunity to register for a vaccine, testing results, or other resources.


Officials say what they are really doing is using the sites as a way to steal credentials, bank account information, or to infect devices with malware.

A statement released by the city says:

The health department has been made aware of scam emails attempting to convince the recipient to reveal sensitive information (i.e. bank account information) by demanding payment in order to receive a vaccine.

Other scams may be designed to compel the recipient to open a malicious link or attachment, allowing them to potentially access the recipient’s system. Clever phishing emails will look legitimate and will likely impersonate well-known and trusted entities. Never open any link or attachment from a source that you cannot clearly identify as being legitimate.

The health department said it’s received reports of people getting suspicious vaccine appointment emails that appear to be the real deal.

“They are very similar to the emails we send out,” said Bob Engle, emergency coordinator for VBDPH. “The health department will never ask you for any personal information such as bank accounts, driver’s license numbers or anything to access your accounts where money’s involved.”

Engle said the health department will ask for basic information such as your name and street address but never anything associated with money.

If you’re waiting for a vaccine spot, make sure you double check the sender’s email address.

“If it does not come from VaccinateVB@vdh.Virginia.gov, it is not a legitimate email,” Engle said.

Once you’ve verified the email is legitimate, do not forward the appointment link.

That’s another issue the department is dealing with.

“At our last clinic we turned away just a little over 100 people,” Engle said. “They actually did register for an appointment and they did get a confirmation email but they were not the intended receiver of that original email so it’s very disappointing for them.”

Tips and warning signs:

If you believe you have been targeted for a vaccine-related scam or suspected fraud, please contact the Virginia Department of Health at 877-ASK-VDH3 (877-275-8343).