As distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine begins in Central New York, the Onondaga County Office for Aging is asking people to be on the lookout for scams claiming to sell the vaccine or a way to “skip the line” and get vaccinated sooner.

The office gives the following tips on how to avoid such a scam:

• You likely will not need to pay anything out of pocket to get the vaccine during the public health emergency.
• You cannot pay to put your name on a list to get the vaccine or to get early access to the vaccine.
• No one from Medicare or the Health Department will contact you.
• No one from a vaccine distribution site or health care payer, like a private insurance company, will call you asking for your Social Security number or your credit card or bank account information to sign you up to get the vaccine.
• Beware of providers offering other products, treatments, or medicines that they claim will prevent or cure the virus. Check with your health care provider before paying for or receiving any COVID-19 related treatment.
• If you get a call, text, email — or even someone knocking on your door — claiming they can get you early access to the vaccine, do not respond.

For further information contact the Onondaga County for Aging at 315-435-2362  or visit ongov.net/aging/.