TL;DR: This scam tracks the fall vaccination push, typically September through November, when pharmacies and clinics are actively promoting flu shot appointments and people are used to receiving related reminders. Schedule vaccine appointments directly through your pharmacy's or provider's official app or website, not through a link in an unsolicited text or email.
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This scam tracks the fall vaccination push, typically September through November, when pharmacies and clinics are actively promoting flu shot appointments and people are used to receiving related reminders.
How the Scam Plays Out
Fraudulent texts and emails offer to 'schedule' a flu shot appointment through a link that instead harvests personal and insurance information rather than booking anything real.
How to Protect Yourself
Schedule vaccine appointments directly through your pharmacy's or provider's official app or website, not through a link in an unsolicited text or email.
If this looks similar to something else you've seen, it's worth reading Gift Card Scams During the Holidays: How They Work.
This pattern shows up elsewhere too — see Graduation Season Scams Targeting Grads and Parents.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does this typically happen?
This scam tracks the fall vaccination push, typically September through November, when pharmacies and clinics are actively promoting flu shot appointments and people are used to receiving related reminders.
What tactics are used?
Fraudulent texts and emails offer to 'schedule' a flu shot appointment through a link that instead harvests personal and insurance information rather than booking anything real.
How can I protect myself?
Schedule vaccine appointments directly through your pharmacy's or provider's official app or website, not through a link in an unsolicited text or email.
What should I do if I’ve already been targeted?
Stop all payments immediately, contact your bank or card issuer to see if a transaction can be reversed or flagged, and report the incident to the appropriate consumer protection body.