AHS, Hinshaw warn of vaccine-for-fee phone scam

Feb 4, 2021 | 4:15 PM

Alberta Health Services is warning of a new COVID-19-related phone scam.

The health-care administrator says it has received several reports recently of people being called by someone who claims to be with AHS.

The person on the receiving end is told that Albertans over the age of 75 can book their COVID-19 immunization, for a fee.

“This is not a legitimate claim,” said Dr. Deena Hinshaw, during Thursday’s COVID-19 update. “This is a scam.”

Hinshaw said due to current vaccine shortages in the province, AHS is not even able to begin offering vaccines to Albertans over the age of 75.

Even when that point is reached, she underlines that the vaccine will be free to anyone who wants it.

“Neither AHS or any other community provider will ever be asking for payment for the vaccine.”

Anyone who receives a call like this is asked to immediately hang up, and report the call to the non-emergency line of their local police.

by Shaun Penner