Madison Messenger - December 20th, 2020

www.madisonmessengernews.com
December 20, 2020 - MADISON MESSENGER - Page 15
Attorney General warns of vaccine-related scams
State Rte. 142 southbound
bridge closed until spring
The State Route 142 southbound bridge over I-70 closed on Dec.
11 for bridge deck replacement. Southbound traffic has been shifted
to the northbound bridge over I-70, and one lane of traffic is being
maintained in both directions. This traffic pattern will be in effect
until spring 2021.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is cautioning Ohioans to look
out for COVID-19 vaccine-related scams that will occur as the vaccine
is distributed.
“A single dose of information can vaccinate you against fraud,”
Yost said.
For example, consumers could see scammers impersonating distributors,
providers, or local health departments claiming to need
personal information, such as a Social Security number to get on a
list to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
Other scammers could pretend to be able to help consumers jump
to the front of the line to get a vaccine, but ask for advanced payment
to secure their place in line. These communications could
come through email, phone call, postal mail, text message, or even
social media accounts. Do not fall for these scams.
Also, reports indicate that cards may be distributed to consumers
that have been provided the first dose of a two-dose vaccine. These
will likely be used to simply remind consumers to get their second
dose, not as official “passports” to gain entry into bars, restaurants
or other public areas, or to bypass public health orders. Therefore,
any attempts to buy these cards will be fruitless.
Early in 2020, published reports warned consumers to have their
guard up when going online to receive information for products and
services designed to help protect against COVID-19. In reality, computer
hackers were reportedly sending spam emails with links that
were designed to infect consumers’ computers with malicious software,
some of which may steal personal information or passwords
stored on their devices.
Within the first week of the COVID-19 lockdown in March, scammers
started emailing, calling, and texting Ohioans, trying to steal
their identity or money, according to data from Yost’s Constituent
Services Section.
Some of those scams asked people to pay for advice on how to
treat COVID-19, pay for access to care, and to give personal information
in order to get medication or prevent
infection.
To date, Yost’s office has received 39 complaints
of potential COVID-19-related
scams.
The Ohio Attorney General’s Office recommends
several tips to help consumers
avoid potential virus- and vaccine-related
scams:
• Verify any vaccine-related information
with legitimate news reports. Double-check
any new “too-good-to-be-true” news or
claims. You may wish to consider contacting
your family doctor, your local health department,
or the statewide Ohio Department of
Health’s COVID-19 call center (1-833-427-
5634) to check on issues you are unsure
about.
• Look for some of the red flags of a scam,
such as being asked to wire money or send
a prepaid money card or gift card to a
stranger; being pressured to act immediately,
or being told to buy a product or service
where the company refuses to provide
any information in writing. Also look out if
you’re asked to keep conversations a secret.
• You likely will not need to pay anything
out of pocket to get the vaccine during
this public health emergency. You can’t pay
to put your name on a list to get the vaccine.
You can’t pay to get early access to the vaccine.
• No one from a vaccine distribution site
or health care payer, like a private insurance
company, will call you asking for your
Social Security number or your credit card
or bank account information to sign you up
to get the vaccine.
Consumers who suspect an unfair business practice or want help
addressing a consumer problem should contact the Ohio Attorney
General’s Office at www.OhioProtects.org or 800-282-0515.
To Our Valued Customers
At This Special Time Of Year
To all of those who’ve stopped by here, we wish a very
Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!
you for your loyal support.
Plain City Druggist
Year from all of us!
New Happy and Christmas Merry Opening Doors Since 1992
Pharmacy and Healthcare Center
480 South J Ave.
Plain City, Ohio 43064
Convenient Pick-Up Drive & Drop Window Service
Pharmacy and Healthcare Center
Joe & Robin
Pharmacists/Owners • Compounding Specialists
www.druggist4u.com • www.pcdblog.com
plaincity@happydruggist.com
(614) 873-0880
BOYD GARAGE DOORS & OPENERS
M-F 9-6;
Sat. 9-12
Closed
Sundays &
Holidays
RESIDENTIAL
COMMERCIAL
SALES & SERVICE OF ALL DOORS & OPENERS
DO IT YOURSELF PACKAGES
SERVING MADISON & ALL SURROUNDING COUNTIES
EMERGENCY SERVICE AVAILABLE
Great Service &
Fair Pricing
CALL FOR FREE ESTIMATES ON
NEW & REPLACEMENT DOORS.
(740) 852-2483