State warns: beware Covid testing fraud

Florida’s attorney general warned Thursday of

COVID-19 testing scammers seeking to steal victims’ personal, financial or medical information.

The office has received reports of fake test sites, people impersonating health-care workers at legitimate sites and at-home testing scams, Ashley Moody said in a statement.

“Last week in Sarasota, law enforcement received reports of suspicious individuals impersonating health care workers at a legitimate testing site asking test seekers to provide personal, financial and medical information,” Moody said in the consumer alert.

A man trying to get a test at the drive-through site at Ed Smith Stadium said “a woman walked up to his car and handed him a Ziploc bag with a swab test. She asked for his phone, and had him scan a QR code,” WFLA reported.

“I don’t think medical professionals are actually wanting to touch your phone if I’m possibly COVID positive — it’s just not protocol,” he told the TV station. “She had no hazmat gear or anything like that.”

As the omicron variant of the virus spreads and tests become more difficult to get, these scams have been emerging statewide and across the U.S.

A fake health-care worker may seem uninformed about the testing process, may be dressed differently than other health-care workers at the site, may not wear a mask and could fail to adhere to other health and safety guidelines in interactions with patients.

Other clues to spot imposters:

They’re not interacting with test seekers within the established test-site area.

They can’t accurately and correctly answer questions without seeming nervous or confused.

They pressure you for personal or financial information.

In the case of an entire testing site being fake, one clue is that it has no affiliation with a local medical provider or a government entity. Another sign: It fails to deliver test results.

Consumers should also avoid companies that ask for private information to make an appointment, especially if they don’t guarantee an appointment time.

Finally, when buying

COVID-19 tests for use at home, consumers are advised to stick with well-established, legitimate stores and websites.

Other advice for buying tests:

Search online for the brand name of the test and any complaints.

Beware of private companies offering free or reduced cost at-home testing services.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration lists known fraudulent products on its website.

“As we have seen throughout the pandemic, scammers change tactics as news and situations change,” according to Moody’s statement. “With the recent rise in the number of people seeking COVID-19 tests comes an increased risk that scammers will try to take advantage of the demand. Please take precautions to protect your personal information when seeking a test— whether at a legitimate site or when purchasing an at-home test.”

Anyone who suspects a

COVID-19 vaccine-related scam should report it to local law enforcement, or to the Florida Attorney General’s Office by calling 1(866)

9NO-SCAM or visiting MyFloridaLegal.com.