Hackers able to impact Allegheny County 211 COVID-19 call system during rush to find vaccine

PITTSBURGH — Victor Miranda lives in California, and his parents live in Bethel Park. He told them as soon as the clock struck noon, they had to jump on the phone.

>>>RELATED: More than 15,000 calls per second reported to Allegheny Co. 211 COVID-19 vaccine phone line

“I’ve been trying to get my parents vaccinated ever since Pennsylvania started the rollout,” Miranda said. “Both my parents are high risk, especially my father.”

He said his father was able to eventually speak to someone, but it wasn’t someone with the call center.

“My dad connected right away to a woman who offered him a free $100 Walmart gift card,” Miranda said. “My dad was like, ‘Oh cool, maybe this is a perk of the vaccine.’ And then he said sure and she asked him for $1.98 and for his credit card information for the shipping to pay for the card. My dad knew this sounded too fishy and he said are we not going to talk about the vaccine?”

Miranda said the scammer was pushy and said she needed his financial information to schedule an appointment.

“I don’t know how scammers are getting this advanced that they can just intercept calls like this,” he said.

County officials said they are investigating reports of scammers getting into the phone system Thursday afternoon.

“It sucks that there are people preying on seniors like this, people who are desperate to get vaccinated to see their families,” Miranda said.

About 750 people were able to schedule an appointment for the vaccine Thursday.

How were hackers able to get in?

Mary Onifer specializes in cyber crimes. She said hackers may have used something similar to a transmitter or mast like what you might find on the WPXI live trucks. A hacker could intercept the signals sent to a phone tower.

“They are well versed in using their tools and techniques to scam people and it’s easy for them to do it. And of course, they are targeting the most vulnerable population,” Onifer said.

To protect yourself, she has a few suggestions.

“If you have your cellphone, make sure that you are downloading the updates,” she said. “And when something doesn’t feel right, stop the call. Turn your phone off.”

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