Page 10 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2021 AG Healey cautions residents about COVID-19 vaccine scams A s Massachusetts proceeds with its fi rst phase of COVID-19 vaccine distribution, Attorney General Maura Healey is advising residents about potential scams and misinformation intended to exploit the pandemic, while reminding residents to have confi dence in the vaccination process. While Massachusetts has begun the process of vaccinating health care workers and residents and staff of long-term care facilities, the vaccine will not become widely available to the general public for several months. According to Healey’s offi ce, potential scams have already begun to emerge, falsely promising early access to the vaccine, promoting disinformation, and presenting risks related to unsolicited off ers asking for payment and personal information. “These vaccines are incredibly important to keep us healthy and help us defeat this pandemic, but unfortunately scammers are already trying to take advantage of this moment,” Healey said. “We want residents to have confi dence in this vaccination process and remain vigilant when it comes to fraud and fake off ers.” Healey encourages residents to follow these tips: • Email Scams: Beware of unsolicited emails that purport to have a link to register for the COVID-19 vaccine. These phishing emails may be an attempt at identity theft and may contain hyperlinks and downloads for malware that can allow fraudsters to take over computers and steal information. If you receive an email from your employer or health care provider about signing up for an appointment, call them to verify. Do not open unsolicited emails or click links in emails or text messages from people you don’t know, be wary of email attachments, and never provide personal information, including passwords, bank account details, or your Social Security number via email to an unverifi ed source. • Phone Scams: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has become aware that members of the general public are receiving scam phone calls appearing to originate from the CDC through caller ID, as well as scammer voice mail messages saying the caller is from the CDC. Scammers, either via telephone calls, text, or email, will attempt to obtain personal sensitive information in exchange for purported access to the COVID-19 vaccine. Refer to the offi cial CDC website for updates on COVID-19 and for reliable information on vaccine availability. • Disinformation Campaigns: Leading up to and following the authorization of COVID-19 vaccines by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), online campaigns with a range of disinformation have flourished, sparking fear and distrust about vaccines. In order to prevent the spread of misinformation, don’t forward these false messages. Instead, for accurate information, consult with reputable sources including your doctor, trusted community leaders, the CDC, state Department of Public Health (DPH), and your city or town board of health. • Requests for Payment: Be wary of any unsolicited off ers that require you to provide your insurance or doctor’s information or ask for payment or a deposit in exchange for early access to vaccines. You can’t pay to put your name on a list to get the vaccine or to get into a vaccine clinical trial. Information about how to access the vaccine will be widely disseminated by DPH when the vaccine becomes available to the general public. Massachusetts residents will not have to pay out of pocket for the vaccine. To avoid fraud, Healey’s offi ce advises that residents follow guidance and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, visit the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s website for up-to-date information about authorized vaccine distribution in Massachusetts, and never share your personal or health information with anyone other than known and trustWAGE | FROM Page 8 cess, free of charge. “As residents across our state continue to struggle amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it’s vital that workers are paid the wages to which they are legally entitled and that their rights are protected,” said Healey. “We are issuing this notice to ensure that employers and employees alike are aware of this change to the minimum wage in Massachusetts, and to let the public know that my Fair Labor Division is here if they have questions or concerns.” In June 2018, Massachusetts enacted a law that set the minimum ed medical professionals. The AG’s Office also recommends the Federal Trade Commission’s guidance on avoiding COVID-19 vaccine scams. Healey’s offi ce continues to protect Massachusetts residents against COVID-19 scams and fraud and issued an advisory earlier this year with tips and resources for consumers. Healey’s offi ce encourages anyone with questions or concerns to call the AG’s consumer hotline at 617-727-8400 or fi le a complaint online. wage to increase each year until it reaches $15 in 2023. Tipped employees will also get a raise on January 1 and must be paid a minimum of $5.55 per hour provided that their tips bring them up to at least $13.50 per hour. If the total hourly rate for the employee including tips does not equal $13.50 at the end of the shift, the employer must make up the diff erence. Free copies of the wage and hour poster are available in English, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Khmer, Portuguese, Spanish and Vietnamese on the Fair Labor Division website to download and print. To request a hard copy, please visit www.mass. gov/ago/fl dposter or call 617-7273465.
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