With more people getting COVID-19 vaccines, police are asking residents to beware of crooks claiming to sell the vaccination online or from other unauthorized sources.

Police said people have received calls or emails, which claim they can receive the vaccines online by paying a certain sum.

“Never buy COVID-19 vaccines online, by phone or from unauthorized sources,” the RCMP said in a warning. “These scams can result in the purchase of an unsafe and ineffective product.”

Health Canada also warn Canadians not to buy a vaccine online or from unauthorized sources, as they can be counterfeit, dangerous and ineffective.

Health Canada, in a statement, said vaccines bought online “may pose serious health risks” and that the only way to access a safe vaccine is through authorized clinics.

“Vaccinations are not for sale and cannot be purchased online or by telephone,” says a government release. “They can only be accessed through clinics organized or endorsed by your local public health authority.”

The International Criminal Police Organization issued a global alert in December that vaccines being sold online are counterfeit; and websites associated with sales frequently contain phishing scams and malware.

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) have identified several potential frauds linked to the COVID-19 vaccines.

Beware of Coronavirus-themed and COVID-19 vaccination themed emails and text messages, the CAFC said, they may trick you into opening malicious attachments or to reveal your sensitive personal and financial details.

They also received a tip from a person who had received a phone call from someone claiming to work for a pharmaceutical company offering a “vaccine system” totaling $2,500 with the purchaser to self-administer the vaccine.

You can reach the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) at 1-888-495-8501. The CAFC is a partnership between the RCMP, Ontario Provincial Police and the Competition Bureau of Canada.