FBI warns of potential fraud in antibody testing for COVID-19

WASHINGTON – The FBI is warning the public about potential fraud schemes related to antibody tests for COVID-19.

Scammers are marketing fraudulent and unapproved COVID-19 antibody tests, potentially providing false results. In addition, fraudsters are seeking to obtain individuals’ personal information, such as names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, etc., and personal health information, including Medicare and/or private health insurance information, which can be used in future medical insurance or identity theft schemes.

In response to the vast 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 testing methods that can be quickly and easily deployed to test large numbers of individuals for COVID-19 antibodies. Not all COVID-19 antibody tests, however, have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and their efficacy has not been determined.

The FBI warned the public to be aware of the following potential indicators of fraudulent activity:

Claims of FDA approval for antibody testing that cannot be verified

Advertisements for antibody testing through social media platforms, email, telephone calls, online or from unsolicited/unknown sources

Marketers offering “free” COVID-19 antibody tests or providing incentives for undergoing testing

Individuals contacting you in person, phone or email to tell you the government or government officials require you to take a COVID-19 antibody test

Practitioners offering to perform antibody tests for cash

The FBI recommended:

Checking the FDA’s website at http://fda.gov for an updated list of approved antibody tests and testing companies

Consulting your primary care physician before undergoing any at-home antibody tests

Using a known laboratory approved by your health insurance company to provide the antibody testing

Not sharing your personal or health information to anyone other than known and trusted medical professionals

Checking your medical bills and insurance explanation of benefits for any suspicious claims and promptly reporting any errors to your health insurance provider

Following guidance and recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other trusted medical professionals

If you believe you have been the victim of a COVID-19 fraud, immediately report it to National Center for Disaster fraud hotline at 866-720-5721 or http://justice.gov/disastercomplaintform, or the FBI at http://ic3.gov, http://tips.fbi.gov or 800-225-5324.

For accurate and up-to-date information about COVID-19, visit:

http://coronavirus.gov

http://cdc.gov/coronavirus

http://usa.gov/coronavirus

http://fbi.gov/coronavirus

http://justice.gov/coronavirus

Submitted by FBI.