Sunday, May 16, 2021

MA Consumer Affairs: COVID-19 vaccine survey alert; Emergency broadband benefit announced

"FRAUD ALERT: COVID-19 Vaccine Survey Scam"

"Distribution of the approved COVID-19 vaccines is well underway, but fraudsters are gaining access to vaccine-related data almost as fast as the rollout. According to Google’s vaccination statistics, over 7 million people in Massachusetts have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine – that’s over 60% of the state’s population.

After getting the first dose of any approved iteration of the COVID-19 vaccine, some consumers may receive imposter emails or texts posing as Moderna, Pfizer, or Johnson and Johnson. These messages often claim to be “post-vaccination surveys,” however none of the current vaccine providers are conducting surveys at this time. Special Agent William McNamara from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) says “consumers receive the surveys via email and text message, and are told that, as a gift for filling out the survey, they can choose from various free prizes, such as an iPad Pro.” This is a scam – do not respond!"

Continue reading the article online http://blog.mass.gov/consumer/massconsumer/fraud-alert-covid-19-vaccine-survey-scam/

"The Federal Communications Commission Offers New Emergency Broadband Benefit"

"Staying connected has taken on a whole new meaning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The orders to shelter in place over the past year have created a surge in our digital landscape. This transition happened quickly and caused some to be left behind as work, school, health, and social activities moved to online platforms. To make internet service more affordable, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is providing Emergency Broadband (EBB) discounts to struggling families through a temporary program which just launched this week.

The EBB will provide eligible households with a monthly discount of up to $50 towards broadband service and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.  See link for EBB details: GetEmergencyBroadband.org."

Continue reading the article online  https://blog.mass.gov/consumer/massconsumer/the-federal-communications-commission-offers-new-emergency-broadband-benefit/

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