People are being urged to take caution after some were tricked into handing over personal information and credit card details in a vaccine certificate scam.
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The Courier has learnt of at least one Ballarat resident who nearly entered credit card details into a fraudulent website while trying to organise their vaccination certificate.
The scam comes as the state government recently released a new version of its Service Victoria app which includes proof of vaccination at check-in ahead of the planned reopening in November.
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The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's ScamWatch has received at least six reports about a text message from a sender called 'BeCovidSafe' or 'BeSafe' with a link that would connect users to a Brazilian-based website promoting a digital COVID-19 certificate. The website would then ask for full credit card details.
The ACCC has also received 37 reports mentioning COVID-19 and vaccination passports or certificates with $837 in losses.
Some of these reports concern sites offering vaccination certificates for payment and individuals who have paid stated they did not receive a vaccination certificate.
An ACCC spokesperson said proof of vaccination could be accessed through Medicare Online, the Medicare Express Plus app or My Health Record.
"Do not supply your personal information such as your date of birth to websites offering to create a vaccination certificate," the spokesperson said.
"Ignore unsolicited messages offering vaccination certificates or passports. Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments in emails or text messages you receive out of the blue.
"If uncertain about the legitimacy of a vaccine communication, members of the public can call the COVID-19 Vaccine enquiry line on 1800 020 080."
For more information about current COVID-19 scams, visit the ACCC ScamWatch website at www.scamwatch.gov.au.
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