Watch out for COVID testing scams and price gouging as demand surges, officials warn
Increased demand for COVID-19 testing has state and federal officials warning consumers to keep a watchful eye for potential scams, especially as the omicron coronavirus variant drives a surge in new cases.
The spike in demand has snarled lines at drive-thru test sites, and at-home testing kits have all but disappeared from drug store shelves, presenting thieves with the perfect opportunity to peddle phony, costly products.
Don’t fall for it, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr warned.
“We urge all Georgians to be on the lookout for fraudulent COVID-19-related practices, specifically as it pertains to testing,” Carr said in a statement Dec. 27. “Unfortunately, scam artists seeking to take advantage of the increase in demand will attempt to con hardworking Georgians into paying for fake tests.”
Be wary of anyone trying to charge you for an in-person COVID-19 test, the attorney general said. Buying an at-home testing kit from someone on the street or going door-to-door is likely also a scam.
“Do your research to ensure you are visiting a legitimate operation and receiving results from a valid provider,” Carr added.
Officials in Los Angeles County, California, have issued similar warnings about COVID-19-related scams and misinformation.
Claims that getting tested or treated for COVID-19 will affect your immigration status are false, according to the county health department’s website. All medical information is kept private, officials said, and cannot be shared with immigration officials.
Fake and unauthorized at-home testing kits have also begun popping up online, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Using these fake products only increases your risk of “unknowingly spreading COVID-19” or not getting the appropriate treatment, officials said.
To ensure your test is authorized, visit the agency’s website here.
For those lucky enough to find an at-home testing kit, pricing may be an issue. New York Attorney General Letitia James has called on residents to report “exorbitant” price hikes for over-the-counter coronavirus tests after complaints that some were being sold at double or triple the retail price.
“A standard BinaxNOW brand test kit at a New York store, like Walgreens, costs appropriately between $14 and $25 for a package of two tests,” James said in a Dec. 21 news release. “However, there has been alleged reports of the same products being unlawfully sold for more than $40 and up to $70 per package.”
“Fraudsters are on notice that if they attempt to price gouge during this new surge, we will not hesitate to take action,” she added.
The Georgia attorney general’s office said it is also investigating reports of overcharging for at-home coronavirus tests and will continue monitoring the situation.
This story was originally published December 29, 2021 at 4:31 PM with the headline "Watch out for COVID testing scams and price gouging as demand surges, officials warn."