MINEOLA, N.Y. (WCBS 880) — A former CVS worker on Long Island is facing criminal charges after police said he was caught with dozens of fraudulent COVID-19 vaccination cards.
Authorities said Thursday that Zachary Honig of Levittown was caught with 62 vaccination cards that were apparently stolen from the pharmacy chain.
"The first eight cards that he had were already pre-filled out with the batch number, the store number and the dates that the vaccination was distributed. That date showed one date being within the last week and another one 30 days out, showing it was a completed card. The only thing that wasn't on it was the name and the address of the indivual that was going to use that card," said Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder.
The other 54 cards were blank.
"These cards were taken within the last couple of days," Ryder said.
The 21-year-old apparently intended to share the cards with family members and friends so they could get into venues and possibly even use them at school in September without getting the shot, Ryder said.
It's not believed that he had sold or distributed any of the fake cards.
"You can't have scams like this occurring, the idea of getting us all back to normal is that when you walk into a place and they're requiring that card you want to make sure that card is factual and truthful," Ryder said.
"The world we know will be opening up quite a bit this month, and often to get into things, to go places, you need to show that vaccine card, so whenever there is an opportunity there is a scam," County Executive Laura Curran said. "The reason we can get back to normal is because people are getting vaccinated. If you're faking it, it could set this whole thing back. That's the last thing any of us want."
Honig worked at three CVS locations in Levittown, North Bellmore and East Meadow.
Police say they also found brass knuckles and an illegal pill in his vehicle when he was arrested Tuesday night in Westbury.
Honig is charged with eight counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument, criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal possession of a weapon and petit larceny.
Since his arrest, the pharmacy is making sure to secure the cards to prevent future similar incidents.
Honig has no prior arrests.
