I may be mistaken, but I believe it is true that there is no law that would punish

[Atticus]

a person who FORGED a proof of vaccination card in order to enter businesses or facilities that require one.

I have read of blank vaccination record forms being for sale on the internet.

Shouldn't there be some legal consequence of endangering fellow passengers or diners or theater patrons?

[Blues Heron]

1. that's a cdc document- it's most definitely illegal to forge.

lock 'em up!

[Maxheader]

2. law may consider it like they do..

Someone with aids spitting in your face....

[hlthe2b]

3. Here's your DOJ/FBI alert: Violation of Title 18 United States Code, Section 1017 Federal Law

https://www.ic3.gov/Media/Y2021/PSA210330

the unauthorized use of an official government agency's seal (such as HHS or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)) is a crime, and may be punishable under Title 18 United States Code, Section 1017, and other applicable laws.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

4. When I got my second shot, the nurse was entering something into the computer, ...

... so I looked at the stuff on the table. Little piles of alcohol wipes, bandaids, and a stack of blank vaccination record forms. They're not secured like blank currency paper, or blank passports. They're just printed cardboard.

From what I gleaned on the news, there is no central database of vaccinations. We don't know how many people skipped their second shot, vs how many people got their second shot somewhere other than where they got the first.

So, I guess, forge away!

[Effete Snob]

6. "From what I gleaned on the news, there is no central database of vaccinations."

Each state health department maintains a registry of vaccinations.

Key observation: "the nurse was entering something into the computer"

[hlthe2b]

14. Yes. In fact, my state health department contacted me via text AND email to remind me

that second dose was due (I'd already gotten it) and requested contact if I, indeed I had already gotten it. I did provide them the info they needed to update my record. It is technically a voluntary system, but still comprehensive for childhood school-required vaccines while less so for adults. However, with respect to COVID-19, most are included, albeit there are some delays for certain providers updating the system.

[msfiddlestix]

7. DMV has a record of mine.

one surprising question on the form for my second Maderna shot was for my drivers license number. My vaccination info was sent to DMV registry. I thought that was a good idea.

But obviously, vendors aren't able to verify information with the dmv. So the problem of forgeries will continue unfortunately.

[Effete Snob]

5. People believe all kinds of things

The great thing about belief is that it is protected by the First Amendment. Anyone has the right to believe anything they want.

Anyone curious about reality, however, will note that the card has the insignia of the CDC on it, and it is an official US government form.

There are a number of laws which relate to forgery of government insignia, for example:

18 U.S. Code § 506
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/506

(a) Whoever—

(1) falsely makes, forges, counterfeits, mutilates, or alters the seal of any department or agency of the United States, or any facsimile thereof;

(2) knowingly uses, affixes, or impresses any such fraudulently made, forged, counterfeited, mutilated, or altered seal or facsimile thereof to or upon any certificate, instrument, commission, document, or paper of any description; or

(3) with fraudulent intent, possesses, sells, offers for sale, furnishes, offers to furnish, gives away, offers to give away, transports, offers to transport, imports, or offers to import any such seal or facsimile thereof, knowing the same to have been so falsely made, forged, counterfeited, mutilated, or altered,

shall be fined under this title, or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.

[flying_wahini]

8. When I got my first vaccine in late December I was told by a supervisor that

Names are all going into data base and could be accessed by govt or patients in the next few months.

[lark]

10. I got mine at a Walmart grocery store & they said they sent notification to CDC upon 2nd vaccination

I'm down with that.

[brooklynite]

9. The vaccination card is not a legal document, hence there is no criminal penalty.

It is a record for you and your doctor.

A legal document would be a WHO-approved vaccination book or a vaccine passport.

[Effete Snob]

11. nonsense

It is a form which bears the seal of the CDC.

I have no idea what you think is a "legal document", but forging anything with the seal of a US government agency on it is a federal crime.

[brooklynite]

12. Name someone who's been indicted/arrested for forging one...

[Effete Snob]

13. That's a bullshit question

I can't name anyone who's been arrested for all kinds of crimes.

I can't name anyone who's been arrested for embezzlement or social security fraud either.

Good to hear that you know better than the FBI:

https://www.ic3.gov/Media/Y2021/PSA210330


If You Make or Buy a Fake COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card, You Endanger Yourself and Those Around You, and You Are Breaking the Law

The Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and the FBI are advising the public to be aware of individuals selling fake COVID-19 vaccination record cards and encouraging others to print fake cards at home. Fake vaccination record cards have been advertised on social media websites, as well as e-commerce platforms and blogs.

Vaccination record cards are intended to provide recipients of the COVID-19 vaccine with information about the type of vaccine they received, and when they may be able to receive a second dose of the vaccine. If you did not receive the vaccine, do not buy fake vaccine cards, do not make your own vaccine cards, and do not fill-in blank vaccination record cards with false information. By misrepresenting yourself as vaccinated when entering schools, mass transit, workplaces, gyms, or places of worship, you put yourself and others around you at risk of contracting COVID-19. Additionally, the unauthorized use of an official government agency's seal (such as HHS or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)) is a crime, and may be punishable under Title 18 United States Code, Section 1017, and other applicable laws.

Because individuals may use fake vaccine cards to misrepresent themselves as vaccinated, we strongly encourage businesses, schools, places of worship, and government agencies to follow CDC guidance and continue to maintain social distancing and use personal protective equipment. If you did receive the vaccine, we recommend you do not post photos of your vaccine card to social media websites—your personal information could be stolen to commit fraud. For more information about the dangers of sharing your vaccination status on social media, see

https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/elpaso/news/press-releases/fbi-el-paso-warns-about-not-posting-your-cdc-covid-19-vaccination-card-on-social-media-platforms

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2021/02/social-media-no-place-covid-19-vaccination-cards

To report suspicious activity involving fake vaccination record cards, please contact the appropriate government agency in your state or jurisdiction, HHS-OIG (1-800-HHS-TIPS or www.oig.hhs.gov); or the Internet Crime Complaint Center (www.ic3.gov).


-----

Here's a hot tip, federal criminal law is defined by 18 USC, and not whether some rando can name someone arrested for violating it.

Someone should let the FBI know they are posting misinformation.

[hlthe2b]

15. I provided the FBI alert on this upstream. Just because they have not YET cracked down does NOT

equate to it being either "legal" nor that they won't in the future. Do you take violations of Federal law to be such a minor issue? Your post is shockingly blase'. I thought better of you as a Democratic activist.


Here's your DOJ/FBI alert: Violation of Title 18 United States Code, Section 1017 Federal Law
https://www.ic3.gov/Media/Y2021/PSA210330

the unauthorized use of an official government agency's seal (such as HHS or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)) is a crime, and may be punishable under Title 18 United States Code, Section 1017, and other applicable laws.

[Effete Snob]

17. Do you think there are a billion people in India?

A lot of people say there are over a billion people in India, but they can't name more than a couple of them.

Based on a brief survey of people I know, there's only like, five or six people living in India.

[hlthe2b]

18. I believe you addressed this to the wrong DUer. I am not brooklynite.

But, yes, I know damned well there are over a billion people in India, having worked throughout the country a decade ago. But, no, I've not met them all.


Can you believe a DUer would diminish a Federal crime and claim that because he doesn't personally know anyone prosecuted then it hasn't and WON'T happen? Yikes. Did I get shifted to a RW site for the moment?

[Effete Snob]

20. Todd Anderson

https://people.com/crime/california-bar-owner-allegedly-sold-fake-covid-19-vaccination-cards/

Anderson was allegedly charging $20 for the fake vaccinations cards.

Anderson was charged with felony identity theft and forging government documents, as well as misdemeanor falsifying medical records.

Next question?

What do I win?

[hlthe2b]

16. It uses the offical seal of a government agency. Fraudulent use is a violation of Federal law.

https://www.ic3.gov/Media/Y2021/PSA210330

the unauthorized use of an official government agency's seal (such as HHS or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)) is a crime, and may be punishable under Title 18 United States Code, Section 1017, and other applicable laws.

[Effete Snob]

21. .

https://people.com/crime/california-bar-owner-allegedly-sold-fake-covid-19-vaccination-cards/

Calif. Bar Owner Arrested for Allegedly Selling Fake COVID Vaccination Cards

[MichMan]

19. Mandatory 1 year in jail and a 10k fine with no exceptions

Forcibly given a vaccination while in prison on day 1

[Effete Snob]

22. Calif. Bar Owner Arrested for Allegedly Selling Fake COVID Vaccination Cards

https://people.com/crime/california-bar-owner-allegedly-sold-fake-covid-19-vaccination-cards/

Anderson was allegedly charging $20 for the fake vaccinations cards.

Anderson was charged with felony identity theft and forging government documents, as well as misdemeanor falsifying medical records.

[Atticus]

23. Good! Thanks for the cite. nt