Fake Vaccination Cards are out There and Could Land You in Prison [VIDEO]

As the push to get more and more Michiganders vaccinated continues, there's increasing push back from those who refuse to take the COVID-19 vaccine.

But anyone who may be tempted to buy or create a fake proof-of-vaccination card should consider the possible consequences. Federal authorities are warning that this a major felony which could mean thousands of dollars in fines, up to five years in prison, or both.

It was announced last week that many of Michigan's major colleges and universities like the University of Michigan and Michigan State University will require that staff members and students be vaccinated.

SEE ALSO:  Michigan Health Department Issues New COVID-19 Guidelines for Schools 

Cybersecurity firm Check Point tells Detroit's WXYZ-TV that they've seen a 300 percent increase in the availability of fake vaccination cards on the dark web. In some cases, these imposter cards can be purchased for about $150 and vendors are paid in cryptocurrency so the transaction can't be traced.

Anjeli Prasad is a former federal prosecutor. She says she's concerned about how easy it is to obtain fake vaccination cards.

"I heard this and I thought this was just ripe for abuse, because my kid can make this vaccine card in our basement, they're very easy to rip off," she said.

But Prasad goes on to say that she doubts federal authorities will have the time and resources available to crack down on phony vaccination cards right away.

Experts are also advising that you keep pictures of your legitimate vaccination card off social media. This not only protects your identity but also thwarts anyone from manufacturing fake vaccination cards.