Dengue Vaccine Scams Target Entre Ríos Residents
In recent weeks, a new scam targeting residents of Entre Ríos has emerged, with fraudsters impersonating Ministry of Health officials. These scammers are using WhatsApp and telephone calls to deceive unsuspecting individuals. They often utilize a fake Ministry of Health logo to lend credibility to their scheme.
The scammers’ tactic involves contacting people under the guise of delivery vaccination certificates or scheduling dengue vaccine appointments. Their primary objective is to extract personal information from vulnerable individuals. To further heighten their believability, the calls often originate from numbers that appear to be from other provinces.
The Ministry of Health has issued a strong warning, confirming that they never request personal information or initiate contact of this nature via WhatsApp or telephone calls. Officials emphasize that these actions are designed to carry out hacking and scams, exploiting the information obtained from unsuspecting victims.
"No personal data is requested nor are contacts of this type made by WhatsApp or phone calls,” a Ministry of Health representative stated. “These actions are intended to carry out hacks and scams using the information obtained.”
The Entre Ríos public is urged to exercise extreme caution and report any suspicious communications to the authorities. Complaints can be filed with 911 or the Radio Command at 101 if individuals believe they have encountered this fraudulent activity.
Dengue Vaccination Efforts Continue
It’s important to remember that dengue vaccination is currently limited to jurisdictions with high circulation of the virus. At present, this is restricted to the Federation department and the city of Villaguay.
Health teams in these areas are implementing strategies to reach the target population, but they emphasize that they never ask for personal information. Notifications are purely informative, indicating that individuals can visit the corresponding vaccination center to receive their dose.
– What are the tactics used by scammers in these dengue vaccine scams?
## Interview: Dengue Vaccine Scams
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today we’re discussing a disturbing trend emerging in Entre Rios: scams targeting residents with fake dengue vaccine information. To shed light on this issue, we’re joined by Dr. [Guest Name], an expert on public health and vaccine safety. Dr. [Guest Name], thank you for being here.
**Dr. [Guest Name]:** Thank you for having me. I’m glad we can raise awareness about this important issue.
**Host:** Can you tell us about these scams and how they operate?
**Dr. [Guest Name]:** Absolutely. These scammers are posing as Ministry of Health officials and contacting residents via WhatsApp and phone calls. They often use a fake Ministry logo to appear legitimate. They might claim there’s a new dengue vaccine program, urgent vaccination needs, or even offer to schedule appointments for a “discounted” vaccine.
**Host:** That’s alarming. What should people do if they receive these kinds of messages or calls?
**Dr. [Guest Name]:** First and foremost, never share personal information like your ID number, bank details, or address with someone you don’t know, especially over the phone or text message.
Secondly, always verify the information with official sources. Check the Ministry of Health website or contact them directly using publicly available numbers. Don’t rely on links or phone numbers provided in suspicious messages.
**Host:** You mentioned the importance of verifying information. Why is this particularly crucial when it comes to vaccines?
**Dr. [Guest Name]:** Vaccines are vital for public health, but misinformation can be extremely dangerous. The recent history of the dengue vaccine [[1](https://www.science.org/content/article/dengue-vaccine-fiasco-leads-criminal-charges-researcher-philippines)]highlights the potential harm of unverified information.
**Host:** That’s a good point. What advice do you have for our viewers to protect themselves from these scams?
**Dr. [Guest Name]:** Be cautious of unsolicited calls or messages about vaccines. Always double-check information through official channels and report any suspicious activity to the authorities. Remember, legitimate health officials will never pressure you into giving personal information or paying fees over the phone or text.
**Host:** Thank you so much, Dr. [Guest Name], for sharing your expertise and helping our viewers stay informed.
