Beware of Fake COVID-19 Testing Sites
Don’t fall for the fake coronavirus testing sites that have been popping up in recent weeks. Yes, that’s right – according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) , scammers dress up as medical professionals and conduct fake unsanitary tests for money and identity theft, while possibly spreading the virus.
According to the FTC:
Fake sites can look real, with legit-looking signs, tents, protective suits and realistic tests … In addition to running away with information about innocent people, these destinations cause health problems. They do not follow sanitary protocols, so they can spread the virus. Worst of all, they are not giving people the help they need to stay healthy.
Such sites have been reported in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, New York and Washington state, according to AARP . They usually charge cash ($ 240 in one case) for this bogus test and also try to steal your Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and credit card information in order to steal your identity.
How to recognize a fake test site
At first glance, scammers may appear legitimate, but at second glance, the clothing will be inconsistent as the scammers may wear painter overalls or lab coats instead of legal personal protective equipment. Also look out for the name tags – in one case reported by the New York Times , a fraudster wore a lanyard with a fake “HIPPA” identifier, an incorrectly spelled acronym for a federal law restricting access to health data.
To make matters worse, they are unscrupulous scammers, which is why health protocols such as changing gloves between tests are likely not being followed. Because these are fly-by-night operations, they tend to be small – maybe a few trucks and tents that can be quickly packed and transported before the police catch the fraud.
If you are concerned about whether a nearby testing site is legal, check your state or local government health department website first. If you think the site is fake, please report it to ftc.gov/complaint .