Fake COVID-19 Vaccine Card Scam In WA: What To Know

WASHINGTON — As America's vaccine rollout progresses, a new problem is emerging: phony COVID-19 vaccination cards.

The FBI said it has begun investigating a growing trend of online retailers and individuals selling the fake vaccination cards, as well as posts encouraging people to print their own cards at home. In addition to violating federal law, the fake cards may put people's health at risk if an unvaccinated person misrepresents themselves as having protection against the coronavirus.

Over recent weeks, the cards have been widely shared on social media as a way to skirt vaccination requirements.

The FBI recently issued a warning regarding the fake cards, now many states are weighing in, saying the bogus cards may also violate state laws regarding impersonation.

Washington is among the dozens of states pushing back against the scam cards. In a letter to eBay, Twitter and Shopify, Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson joined 45 other state attorney generals in urging the platforms to crack down on the sale and spread of the bogus cards.

Their letter reads, in part:

"We are deeply concerned about this use of your platforms to spread false and misleading information regarding COVID vaccines. The false and deceptive marketing and sales of fake COVID vaccine cards threatens the health of our communities, slows progress in getting our residents protected from the virus, and are a violation of the laws of many states."

"We want to see them stop immediately," said Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro. "And we want to see the companies take serious and immediate action."

The companies have responded, saying the postings violate their sites' terms of service and are actively being removed, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Patch Staffers Andy Ngyuen and Max Bennett contributed to this report