Skip to main content
  • Call
    Contact Us

    TOLL FREE: 1-866-9-NO-SCAM

     
  • File Complaint
Logo
  • Home
  • Meet the Attorney General
    • Attorney General James Uthmeier
    • Official Photo
  • About the Office
    • Departments
      • AG Opinions
      • Antitrust
      • Civil Legal Services
      • Civil Litigation
      • Consumer Protection
      • Criminal Appeals
      • Litigation Services
      • Medicaid Fraud
      • Solicitor General
      • Statewide Prosecution
    • Programs
      • Back the Blue
      • Be a Florida Hero
      • Consumer Alerts
      • Criminal Justice Programs
      • Military and Veterans Assistance Program
      • Seniors vs. Crime
      • Cold Case Investigations Unit
    • Services
      • Civil Rights
      • Human Trafficking Prevention and Awareness
      • Identity Theft
      • Lemon Law
      • Office of Inspector General
      • Open Government
      • Victims Services
  • Contact Us
    • Addresses & Phone Numbers
    • File A Complaint
    • General Inquiries
    • Media Contact
Logo
  • Home
  • Meet the Attorney General
    • Attorney General James Uthmeier
    • Official Photo
  • About the Office
    • Departments
      • AG Opinions
      • Antitrust
      • Civil Legal Services
      • Civil Litigation
      • Consumer Protection
      • Criminal Appeals
      • Litigation Services
      • Medicaid Fraud
      • Solicitor General
      • Statewide Prosecution
    • Programs
      • Back the Blue
      • Be a Florida Hero
      • Consumer Alerts
      • Criminal Justice Programs
      • Military and Veterans Assistance Program
      • Seniors vs. Crime
      • Cold Case Investigations Unit
    • Services
      • Civil Rights
      • Human Trafficking Prevention and Awareness
      • Identity Theft
      • Lemon Law
      • Office of Inspector General
      • Open Government
      • Victims Services
  • Contact Us
    • Addresses & Phone Numbers
    • File A Complaint
    • General Inquiries
    • Media Contact

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. News Releases
  3. Avoid Covid 19 Vaccine and Distribution Scams

Avoid COVID-19 Vaccine and Distribution Scams

View PDF
Release Date
Dec 8, 2020
Contact
Kylie Mason
Phone
850-245-0150

Consumer Alert


TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody today issued a Consumer Alert warning Floridians about COVID-19 vaccine product and distribution scams. With coronavirus vaccines potentially nearing approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and consumers anxious to achieve immunity, scammers may exploit the situation to rip-off Floridians.

To highlight the potential for vaccine-related fraud, the International Criminal Police Organization issued a global warning revealing that of 3,000 websites associated with online pharmacies suspected of selling illicit medicines and medical devices, more than half contained cyber threats, including phishing and spamming malware.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “I am extremely encouraged by news of multiple coronavirus vaccines potentially moving toward FDA approval. Once we have an effective immunization, the swift and orderly distribution of the vaccine will be key to getting our state and country back on track. But Floridians must remain on high alert. Scammers may try to exploit the sense of urgency surrounding the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine to swindle those trying to protect their health. I am asking all Floridians to be on the lookout for vaccine-related scams and report fraud to our office.”

Attorney General Moody released the following tips to help Floridians avoid COVID-19 vaccine-related scams:
  • Know that no COVID-19 vaccine has been approved by the FDA as of the time of this Consumer Alert; therefore, any attempt to sell a vaccine right now is not legitimate;
  • Do not respond to solicitations about vaccines. Once a vaccine is approved and available to the public, availability will be announced by federal and state government agencies, with clear priority tiers and distribution guidelines;
  • Never send money or financial information to anyone offering a COVID-19 vaccine or claiming the ability to expedite the process. Vaccine doses purchased with U.S. taxpayer dollars will be provided at no cost; however, vaccination providers will be able to charge an administration fee. Vaccine providers can get this fee reimbursed by the patient’s public or private insurance company or, for uninsured patients, by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Provider Relief Fund; and
  • Report suspicious solicitations or COVID-19 vaccine-related advertisements to the Attorney General’s Office by calling 1(866) 9NO-SCAM or visiting MyFloridaLegal.com.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is also gearing up for an increase in fraud related to COVID-19 vaccines and treatments. ICE Homeland Security Investigations recently launched Operation Stolen Promise 2.0 to identify and prevent the production, sale and distribution of unapproved or unauthorized COVID-19 products. To view the ICE announcement, click here.

The FDA will host a meeting regarding vaccines and related biological products this Thursday to discuss Emergency Use Authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. For more on the meeting, click here.

To view the latest alerts and to stay up-to-date on COVID-19 related scams, visit the Attorney General’s Consumer Alert webpage by clicking here.

For all the Attorney General’s COVID-19 related releases and additional COVID-19 tips and resources, click here.

# # #

The Florida Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division issues Consumer Alerts to inform Floridians of emerging scams, new methods used to commit fraud, increased reports of common scams, or any other deceptive practice. Consumer Alerts are designed to notify Floridians about scams and available refunds in an effort to prevent financial losses or other harm caused by deceptive practices. Anyone encountering a scam should report the incident to the Florida Attorney General's Office by calling 1(866) 9NO-SCAM or visiting MyFloridaLegal.com. To view recent Consumer Alerts and for other information about avoiding scams, visit MyFloridaLegal.com/ConsumerAlert.

Resources

  • AG Opinions
  • Annual Regulatory Plan
  • Consumer Protection
  • Doing Business with the Office
  • FAQ
  • Florida Digital Bill of Rights Annual Enforcement Report
  • Opioid Settlements
  • Statement of Agency Organization and Operation

Quick Links

  • Consumer Alerts
  • Military and Veterans Assistance Program
  • Open Government
  • Dose of Reality Florida
  • Request for Proposal for Professional Legal Services
  • Crime Prevention Summit

 

  • Employment
  • File a Complaint
  • Human Trafficking Summit
  • Victim Services
  • Dozier Claims
  • Nicotine Dispensing Device Directory
Logo

Office of the Attorney General
State of Florida
PL-01, The Capitol
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1050

Privacy Policy | © 2025 State of Florida. All rights reserved.