The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers of fake at-home COVID-19 testing
According to the FDA, fake and unauthorized at-home testing kits are popping up online as scammers take advantage of the spike in demand.
If you’re shopping online for test kits, below are tips from the Federal Trade Commission to avoid getting a fake product:
1. Make sure the test you’re buying is authorized by the FDA
Check the FDA’s lists of antigen diagnostic tests and molecular diagnostic tests before you buy to find the tests authorized for home use.
FDA’s list of antigen diagnostic tests
FDA’s list of molecular diagnostic tests
2. Check out the seller
Check out a seller before you buy, especially if you’re buying from a site you don’t know. Search online for the website, company, or seller’s name plus words like “scam,” “complaint,” or “review.”
3. Compare online reviews from a wide variety of websites
You can get a good idea about a company, product, or service from reading user reviews on various retail or shopping comparison sites. Think about the source of the review. The FTC recommends that consumers ask themselves: Where is this review coming from? Is it from an expert organization or individual customers?
4. Pay by credit card
If you’re charged for an order you never got, or for a product that’s not as advertised, contact your credit card company and dispute the charge. Here are more tips from the FTC on how to dispute a credit card charge.Learn more about COVID-related frauds and how to avoid them HERE.