Bob Curley, Healthline.com
The rapid spread of the Omicron variant has spiked demand for COVID-19 testing.
Scammers have taken notice, with some selling fake COVID-19 test kits online while others use bogus testing sites to rip off unsuspecting consumers and even gather personal data for future use in identity thefts schemes.
“It’s a real problem. Not only are these tests a waste of money, but they also increase the risk of spreading the disease and users not getting proper medical treatment,” Dr. Emily Volk, president of the College of American Pathologists, told Healthline.
“With scarcity of testing options available, consumers have become desperate, and a lot of bad actors have emerged to capitalize on this vulnerability,” Justin Simons, the CEO and founder of certified and accredited COVID-19 testing lab Mylabsdirect, told Healthline. “We have been approached by a number of fly-by-night groups asking how much we would pay them to send us samples. The vast majority have absolutely no background in healthcare.”
How to buy a legitimate test
There are some relatively simple ways to protect yourself from being scammed by a fake COVID-19 test.
If you’re thinking of purchasing a COVID-19 at-home test kit online, it takes only a couple of minutes to confirm whether it’s real or fake by checking the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website.
The FDA maintains a running listTrusted Source of every SARS-CoV-2 antigen diagnostic test approved under its emergency use authorization (EUA) process. The list includes several types of test kits and features product brand names for easy reference.
“Scammers often claim that the Food and Drug Administration has approved the test being offered to you,” Steven Weisman, founder of the scamicide.com blog, told Healthline. “Before taking or purchasing any kind of coronavirus test, you should first confirm that the test is approved by the FDA and consult with your primary care physician about taking such a test. You also should only buy the tests through sources that you have confirmed are legitimate, and be very careful when ordering them online.”
Continue reading on Healthline.com.