A press release from Saint Francis Medical Center indicates the hospital has been recently made aware of a COVID vaccine phone scam targeting residents of the area.   

According to the information provided by Saint Francis, the hospital received reports indicating an unknown caller attempting to schedule a time for a COVID vaccine, provides a general list of instructions, and then requests a Social Security number to complete scheduling.  The hospital noted Saint Francis staff might call patients to schedule an appointment, but a patient’s Social Security number is not required, and hospital staff does not ask for that information. 

Should you receive a call that seems suspicious, it is more secure to hang up and call the hospital directly to ensure you do not communicate with a scammer.  If you believe you have provided confidential information to a scam caller, visit http://www.identitytheft.gov/ and report the call. 

Author: Bill Green

Graphic: Freepik