Researchers are recruiting participants for COVID-19 vaccine research in Wisconsin, and scammers are beginning to take advantage.
If you are considering participating in a vaccine trial, make sure you know how to distinguish legitimate studies from imposters.
Some tips have been issued by the FTC and DATCP to avoid becoming a victim of an imposter scam, including to verify the study. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease at the National Institutes of Health has a list of all ongoing studies at ClinicalTrials.gov.
Also, do not give any more personal information than is necessary, and never pay to participate in any trial. In fact, many legitimate vaccine studies may offer compensation for participation in the study, but none will require any credit card information.
If you believe you have fallen victim to a scam, you can file a complaint by calling (800) 422-7128, or by emailing DATCPHotline@wisconsin.gov.
