The Missouri SMP (Senior Medicare Patrol) has issued an alert to older adults and their caregivers about the potential for COVID-19 vaccine fraud and scams after the recent approval of vaccines by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Older adults are particularly vulnerable to the most serious effects of the COVID-19 virus.

Here are some tips to protect yourself and your loved ones from potential vaccine fraud:

*During this public health emergency, there will likely be no out of pocket cost to get the vaccine.

*You cannot pay to put your name on a list to get the vaccine or to get early access to the vaccine.

*No one from Medicare or the Health Department will contact you.

*No one from a vaccine distribution site or health care payer, like a private insurance company, will call you asking for your Social

*Security number or your credit card or bank account information to sign you up to get the vaccine.

*Beware of providers offering other products, treatments, or medicines to prevent the virus. Check with your health care provider before paying for or receiving any COVID-19-related treatment.

*If you get a call, text, email – or even someone knocking on your door – claiming they can get you early access to the vaccine, stop. That’s a scam.

The Missouri SMP is a non-profit agency that empowers and assists Medicare beneficiaries to prevent, detect and report healthcare fraud, errors and abuse. Medicare fraud and abuse costs taxpayers an estimated $60 billion-plus annually. To learn more or report suspected Medicare fraud, call the Missouri SMP at 1-888-515-6565.