Did the person who didn’t social distance from you at the grocery store have a “face mask exempt” card that they flashed in your face? Or, maybe you are the one who is tired of social distancing and wearing a mask … and want a “face mask exempt” card of your own. Before you fall for a “face mask exempt” card scam or get one of your own, know that these cards are FAKE and floating around the web.
What Are Face Mask Exempt Cards and How Are They a Scam?
The confusing part about “face mask exempt” card scams during COVID-19 is how real the cards look to the untrained eye! Time.com reported that the U.S. Attorney in Maine has issued a warning about these scam cards being distributed. These specific cards were thought to have been created by a group called “Freedom to Breathe Agency (FTBA)”.
They featured the Department of Justice’s information on them, as the certifying body, and referenced the American’s with Disabilities Act. However, no such cards were issued by the DOJ. Meanwhile, other cards of this type are created by people with good Adobe Photoshop skills. What do all these cards have in common? They’re fake! The Better Business Bureau has warned that this scam is becoming more common.
The Reason Behind the Face Mask Exempt Cards Scam
Earlier in the year, it was widely reported that masks were not helpful at preventing the COVID-19 virus and didn’t need to be worn. While health officials like Fauci have now walked back on those widely reported comments, admitting they were made to help keep a supply of masks for healthcare professionals, those early comments caused many people to believe masks were unnecessary and obsolete.
Scientists agree that even cotton masks can offer some protection against COVID-19. People who use “Face Mask Exempt” cards are either afraid of wearing masks, upset because they feel it impacts their personal freedom, or have a health condition and want something tangible to show others.
Should We Wear a Mask and Will it Cause Breathing Problems?
No. Want proof? Doctors have been wearing them for years. Except in rare cases when other health problems exist or during extremely strenuous exercise, there is NO proof that wearing a mask poses any danger to your health or prevents you from breathing properly. In fact, it has been shown that wearing a mask can help reduce the likelihood that you transmit or catch COVID-19. The Cleveland Clinic even offers tips for how to wear your mask!
While most of us don’t enjoy wearing a face mask, we comply out of a concern for our health and public safety, and due to the orders in our city and state. Sign up for alerts from your state and county officials, to make sure that you are following the latest guidelines.
If you think that someone is lying and using a fake voucher, quietly tell your employer, the business you’re at, or the location you’ve visited so they can be aware of the scam in the future. While some people may (truly!) be medically exempt from wearing a mask, they will not have a designated card. Treat people with respect and know that some people are allowed to skip face masks, due to their medical history.
Social Catfish is Here to Help
Has someone you know been publicly shamed for not wearing a mask or circulating fake mask cards? Go to Social Catfish and find out everything there is to know about the people you know and love… or even your frenemies. You can conduct a reverse search, information search for yourself, or run a privacy and safety check on your data and personal information. While coronavirus scams are common right now, there are also many other unfortunate scams found both on and offline.