FBI warns of up to five years in prison if you buy or sell fake vaccination cards

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is warning Americans that making or buying a fake COVID-19 vaccination record card is illegal and could be punishable by a fine, 5 years in prison, or both.

“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,” the FBI’s public service announcement warned on Tuesday. “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.” The unauthorized use of an official government agency’s seal on such cards is a crime that may be punishable under Title 18, United States Code, Section 1017, and other federal laws.

Residents are being advised not to post their vaccine record card on social media. If they have already done so, they are being advised to remove it as soon as possible. Residents are also being advised to rely on sources such as CDC or their local health departments for any information related to vaccines or COVID-19. The FBI have setup a helpline to allow anyone to report any cases of fraudulent vaccination records.