Scam alert: There's no such thing as a face mask exempt card
Be careful about a new scam making its rounds on the internet and social media.
U.S. Attorney Matthew G.T. Martin of the Middle District of North Carolina urged the public to be aware regarding fraudulent postings, cards, or flyers on the internet regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the use of face masks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of them include the United States Department of Justice’s seal and claim to be a card you can get to be exempt for wearing a face mask in public.
Martin said these postings, cards, and flyers were not issued by the Department of Justice and are not endorsed by the Department.
“Do not be fooled by the chicanery and misappropriation of the DOJ eagle,” Martin said. “These cards do not carry the force of law. The ‘Freedom to Breathe Agency,’ or ‘FTBA,’ is not a government agency.”
Martin urged the public not to rely on the information contained in these postings and flyers and to visit http://www.ADA.gov for official information about the Americans with Disabilities Act. For more information and technical assistance about the ADA, please contact the ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (voice) and 800514-0383 (TTY).
