The US Food and Drug Administration is warning people of fraudulent coronavirus tests, vaccines, and treatments as the pandemic continues. Since the arrival of the Omicron variant, the increase of testing for COVID-19 has become a concern. Scarcity often leads to potential scams for a product that doesn’t exist, the compromise of personal identifiable information, or the increase of deceptive advertising.
Better Business Bureau investigator Don O’Brien says fake testing sites have started to pop up.
“At BBB we are worried about people possibly giving out their personal information to these folks. They might ask for a Social Security number, they are going to ask for maybe payment information, Medicare information, you never know what they are going to ask for. Just be careful if you are going to a testing site. The best way to find a good testing site is by going to your local department of health website and seeing where they actually have these sites set up.”
Robocalls are being sent out to consumers directing them to a website that looks like a clinic or medical supply company offering COVID-19 tests. To receive a test, a credit card or a form needs to be completed with personal information. That, O’Brien reminds, should be an immediate red flag.
***Report Courtesy of farmweeknow.com***
