COVID-19 SCAMS- An Update

The Washington State Department of Health has passed on warnings about scammers trying to take advantage of COVID-19 to consumers.

FDA Alerts Consumers About Unauthorized Fraudulent COVID-19 Test Kits. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has seen “unauthorized fraudulent test kits that are being marketed to test for COVID-19 in the home.” The FDA says that it “…has not authorized any test that is available to purchase for testing yourself at home for COVID-19.”

The FDA warns that fraudulent health claims, tests, and products may keep some people from seeking medical care or delay necessary medical treatment. This can endanger their health.

If you become aware of fraudulent COVID-19 self-tests being marketed, the FDA wants to know. Send them an email at FDA-COVID-19-Fraudulent-Products@fda.hhs.gov.

Also, there have been reports of robocallers offering free coronavirus tests in the recipient’s local area. In order to find out the location of the testing, the call recipient needs to give over their personal information.



FDA:

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-alerts-consumers-about-unauthorized-fraudulent-covid-19-test-kits



Identity Theft Resource Center:

https://www.idtheftcenter.org/coronavirus-testing-robocalls-see-a-spike/



FRAUD ALERT: USDA Warns of Scams Targeting SNAP Recipients.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) warns SNAP users (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as Food Stamps) of fraudsters using SNAP to collect personal information.

The USDA cited one example where scammers set up “…a website that asked SNAP recipients to enter their personal and bank account information to qualify for COVID-related monetary assistance.”

The USDA reminds SNAP participants not to give out their social security number, bank information, or their SNAP EBT card or PIN number.



USDA:

https://www.fns.usda.gov/news-item/fraud-alert-usda-warns-scams-targeting-snap-recipients