FBI Warns Against Making, Buying Fake COVID-19 Vaccination Cards

The FBI logo is seen outside the headquarters building in Washington, on July 5, 2016. Yuri Gripas/AFP/Getty Images

The FBI is warning that the production or possession of fake COVID-19 vaccine record cards is illegal, and could be punishable by fines or imprisonment of up to five years, or both.

“The Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and the FBI are advising the public to be aware of individuals selling fake COVID-19 vaccination record cards and encouraging others to print fake cards at home,” an FBI notice reads. “Fake vaccination record cards have been advertised on social media websites, as well as e-commerce platforms and blogs.”

Vaccination record cards are used to provide COVID-19 vaccine recipients with information about the type of vaccine and when to get a second dose. Buying a fake card or using false information could put people in danger of contracting the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, which causes COVID-19.

“If you did not receive the vaccine, do not buy fake vaccine cards, do not make your own vaccine cards, and do not fill-in blank vaccination record cards with false information. By misrepresenting yourself as vaccinated when entering schools, mass transit, workplaces, gyms, or places of worship, you put yourself and others around you at risk of contracting COVID-19.”

Using an official government agency’s seal would be a crime, the announcement warns, and could be punishable under Title 18 U.S. Code, Section 1017, as well as other pertinent laws.

The notice also advises the public not to post their vaccine cards on social media websites so that information isn’t stolen or used to commit fraud.

Last week, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis spoke out at a press conference against the idea that Americans looking to resume travel will need to have a “vaccine passport“ that proves inoculation. On April 2, he signed an executive order that banned businesses in Florida and the state’s government from requiring people in the state to use vaccine credentials to go about their business.

“We’re not supportive of that. I think it’s something that people have certain freedoms and individual liberties to make decisions for themselves,” the governor said.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a press conference about the opening of a COVID-19 vaccination site at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., on Jan. 6, 2021. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

“It’s completely unacceptable for either the government or the private sector to impose upon you the requirement that you show proof of vaccine to just simply be able to participate in normal society.”

DeSantis said that people shouldn’t need to show proof of inoculation against the CCP virus to go to a game, movie, theme parks, or other social events.

“You want the fox to guard the henhouse? I mean give me a break,” he said. “I understand, kind of, how some folks can embrace the idea, and I’m not saying it’s all necessarily done for bad purposes, but I think ultimately it would create problems in the state.”