QUAD CITIES, Iowa-Ill. -
An unexpected side-effect of the h1n1 vaccine could mean trouble for those who did not even get the shot. 8 On Your Side Reporter Chris Williams explains why the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention is warning about an e-mail using the virus to scam people.
The past few months folks have waited in line to rolled up their sleeves and prevent the biggest health scare in years while others have dismissed the idea of taking the vaccine for a variety of reason. Despite health official's attempts to reassure skeptics, some have been concerned about side effects of the vaccine.
"Phishing was not nor corruption of your computer system was not a side affect that was thought to be a result of it", said Rock Island County Health Department's Wendy Trute.
But scam artists see h1n1 fears as a diagnosis to deceive. This week the Centers For Disease Control released a warning about an e-mail hitting in-boxes. The scam looks to inject your computer with a bug and steal your information. "State Vaccination Program" is the message in the subject heading. The e-mail goes on to explain that you need to create a profile with your personal information, no matter whether you plan on taking the vaccine. It also offers a link to follow. It's a requirement federal, state and local health officials say you won't be asked for online by any government health organization.
"There is no nationwide system set up", said Trute, "there's no statewide system set up for pre-registration or anything like that."
Rock Island County Health Department officials say the information you do give at h1n1 vaccine clinics is protected by HIPPA laws and should be safe in the hands of government agencies. It's important to note these e-mails are arriving in in-boxes of those who received the shot and those who did not so it appears to be a randomly sent phishing scam.
The past few months folks have waited in line to rolled up their sleeves and prevent the biggest health scare in years while others have dismissed the idea of taking the vaccine for a variety of reason. Despite health official's attempts to reassure skeptics, some have been concerned about side effects of the vaccine.
"Phishing was not nor corruption of your computer system was not a side affect that was thought to be a result of it", said Rock Island County Health Department's Wendy Trute.
But scam artists see h1n1 fears as a diagnosis to deceive. This week the Centers For Disease Control released a warning about an e-mail hitting in-boxes. The scam looks to inject your computer with a bug and steal your information. "State Vaccination Program" is the message in the subject heading. The e-mail goes on to explain that you need to create a profile with your personal information, no matter whether you plan on taking the vaccine. It also offers a link to follow. It's a requirement federal, state and local health officials say you won't be asked for online by any government health organization.
"There is no nationwide system set up", said Trute, "there's no statewide system set up for pre-registration or anything like that."
Rock Island County Health Department officials say the information you do give at h1n1 vaccine clinics is protected by HIPPA laws and should be safe in the hands of government agencies. It's important to note these e-mails are arriving in in-boxes of those who received the shot and those who did not so it appears to be a randomly sent phishing scam.
