Illinois AG Joins Those in Other States in Opposing Sale of Fake COVID Vaccination Cards

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul Friday called on Twitter, eBay and Shopify to act immediately to prevent people from selling fraudulent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) vaccination cards on their platforms. Raoul joined a bipartisan coalition of 32 attorneys general in raising concerns about the public health risks of these fake cards in a letter to the companies’ CEOs.

“Not only do these fraudulent vaccination cards violate the laws of many states, but more urgently, they threaten the health of our communities and our progress in battling the COVID-19 pandemic,” Raoul said. “I am committed to protecting the health and safety of Illinois residents, and I urge the CEOs of Twitter, eBay and Shopify to take action to help us protect our communities and stop this dangerous, fraudulent practice.”

Legitimate vaccination cards are given by providers when they administer the vaccine. People who buy fake cards can have their own information added to the card or add it in themselves, so it appears they have been vaccinated when they have not. In the letter, Raoul and the coalition ask the CEOs to:

• Monitor their platforms for ads or links selling blank or fraudulently-completed vaccination cards.
• Promptly take down ads or links that are selling cards.
• Preserve records and information about the ads and the people who were selling them.

Attorney General Raoul also cautions Illinois residents to be vigilant and protect themselves from scams and fraud related to COVID vaccination cards. Raoul issued a consumer alert warning people to avoid posting images of vaccination cards on social media as they include personal information that scammers can use and offered steps people can take to protect themselves.