Headline: Beware of the Resurgence of Vaccination Scams in La Plata
Beware, citizens of La Plata! The dengue vaccine scams are back, and it’s crucial to stay vigilant. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen this type of fraud in the city and province, but not everyone is aware, and people are still falling victim.
A local resident recently spoke to 0221.com.ar, revealing that she had received a call from someone pretending to be from the Ministry of Health. The scammer then hacked her WhatsApp account. The woman explained that, after being offered a fake vaccination appointment, she was asked to provide her relatives’ and contacts’ names.
"I had to send them a code via WhatsApp to confirm my vaccination appointment, and that’s when they hacked my account," she said. The scammers inquired about the victim’s COVID-19 vaccination scheme and that of her family, making their inquiry seem very professional.
To make matters worse, after gaining access to the victim’s account, the scammers sent messages to all her contacts, posing as her. In previous cases, these messages were used to ask for money in the victim’s name.
This scam has been seen before, particularly during the COVID-19 vaccination rollout. Cybercriminals aim to trick people into revealing a six-digit code sent via text message, allowing them to activate a WhatsApp line on another device. Once they’ve accomplished this, they can impersonate their victims to scam close contacts.
Alert Issued by the Ministry of Health
In 2023, the Ministry of Health warned Bonaerenses of this type of scam, advising residents to dismiss and report such situations. The ministry, led by Nicolás Kreplak, emphasized that under no circumstances would they request personal data through calls, emails, or WhatsApp.
Those who’ve had dengue and registered for the vaccine through the portal Mi Salud Digital Bonaerense should check their email, as that’s where their appointment date and vaccination center will be assigned.
Stay safe, La Plata! Remember, the Ministry of Health will never ask for your personal information over the phone or through messaging apps. If you receive a suspicious call, hang up immediately and report the incident.
Disclaimer: This article is based on a news report from 0221.com.ar.
