The Federal Bureau of Investigation warns the public about possible fraud schemes related to antibody testing for COVID-19.
Scammers are marketing fraudulent and / or unapproved COVID-19 antibody tests, potentially providing false results. Additionally, scammers seek to obtain individuals’ personal information (names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, etc.) and personal health information, including information from Medicare and / or private health insurance, which may be used in future health insurance or identity theft schemes.
In response to the large number of COVID-19 cases, and in an effort to return to a normal economy as soon as possible, researchers have been encouraged to devise test methods that can be quickly and easily implemented to evaluate large numbers of individuals. to detect COVID. -19 antibodies. However, not all COVID-19 antibody tests have been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and their efficacy has not been determined.
The FBI advises the public to be aware of the following potential indicators of fraudulent activity:
- FDA approval claims for antibody tests that cannot be verified
- Antibody testing ads via social media platforms, email, phone calls, online or from unsolicited / unknown sources
- Marketers offering “free” COVID-19 antibody tests or offering incentives to test
- People who contact you in person, by phone, or by email to let you know that the government or government officials require a COVID-19 antibody test
- Practitioners offering to perform antibody tests for cash
The FBI recommends:
- See the FDA website (fda.gov) for an updated list of approved antibody tests and testing companies.
- Consult your primary care physician before undergoing home antibody testing
- Use a known laboratory approved by your health insurance company to provide the antibody test
- Do not share your personal or health information with anyone other than known and trusted medical professionals
- Verifying your medical bills and insurance explanation of benefits (EOB) for any suspicious claims and promptly reporting any errors to your health insurance provider
- Following the guidelines and recommendations of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other trusted medical professionals
If you believe you have been the victim of a COVID-19 fraud, report it immediately to the National Center for Disaster Fraud hotline at (866) 720-5721 or justice.gov/disastercomplaintform, or the FBI (ic3. gov, tips.fbi .gov, or 1-800-CALL-FBI).
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