Unauthorized COVID-19 tests are popping up online. How to avoid getting scammed

2 years ago 314

As COVID cases proceed to rise, officials are present informing astir fake COVID-19 tests. News4Jax anchor and newsman Brianna Andrews breaks down 4 things you should cognize earlier buying an at-home investigating kit.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Unauthorized investigating kits are popping up online arsenic scammers effort to instrumentality vantage of the request for COVID-19 testing.

Here’s what the Federal Trade Commission suggests to debar falling for a scam:

Only bargain tests authorized by the FDA -- you tin find a database of those connected the FDA’s website
Check the FDA’s database of fraudulent COVID products to guarantee the trial you’re astir to bargain isn’t connected there
Look astatine a assortment of sellers and comparison reviews from adept sources
If you bash bargain a investigating kit online -- usage a recognition paper truthful you tin quality the complaint if it’s a scam

You tin click here for a afloat database of FDA verified investigating companies.

The U.S. Secret Service is besides focused connected warring COVID-19 related scams.

Special cause Roy Dotson is the caput of Secret Service’s Jacksonville tract office. He stresses the value of staying vigilant.

“It comes down to america being capable to place antithetic mediums that they tin use, evidently with the modern conveniences contiguous of online banking, cryptocurrencies. This allows fraudsters to determination monies overmuch much quickly. And accelerated wealth equals accelerated crime,” said Dotson.

In astir 2 years of the coronavirus pandemic, the US Secret Service seized much than $1.2 cardinal successful alleviation funds obtained by scammers.

The Secret Service says truthful far, they’ve managed to instrumentality much than $2.3 cardinal successful ill-gotten gains. One 100 radical person been arrested astatine this point.