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DOS
January 25, 2022
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Consumer Alert: Division of Consumer Protection Urges New Yorkers to be Aware of At Home Covid-19 Testing Scams |
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Beware of Solicitations of On-Line Services as Free COVID-19 Tests Are Now Available Protect Your Personal Information as Robocalls Are Pitching Testing Information to Get Financial Data The New York State Division of Consumer Protection (DCP) today warned about scammers taking advantage of the free COVID-19 test government program to steal personal information for unscrupulous purposes. Due to the high demand, scammers may start using techniques that typically arise with a free government event such as: falsely claiming to be online providers of the tests; sending fake emails and texts that contain harmful links designed to steal your personal information; and using robocalls to pitch testing information. “The arrival of the COVID-19 free at home tests is one more tool in the fight to end this brutal pandemic, but unfortunately, it also creates new opportunities for unscrupulous scammers to attempt to lure people into unintentionally providing their personal information,” said Acting Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez. “As the free at-home test program is rolled out, New Yorkers can thwart the scammers by keeping their personal, financial and health information safe and questioning any requests for a social security number, credit card, health insurance or other personally identifiable information from anyone not affiliated with a trusted health or government entity.” "The availability of free COVID-19 test kits from the federal government will help millions of Americans to have multiple tests on-hand as we continue to monitor and navigate the winter surge," said New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett. "I urge New Yorkers to be vigilant in safeguarding their identity while they are protecting their health and always verify that a source is legitimate before providing personal information." Consumers should also be aware that the ONLY website for the free at-home test kits is https://www.covidtests.gov/ .This link will direct you to a United States Postal Service page to complete the free at home test kit request form. The form only asks for your name and address. It does not require you enter a social security number, credit card number, health insurance number or any other personally identifiable information. The service is free. Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order four free at-home COVID-19 tests. To help ensure that residents have tests on hand if a need arises, the federal government is purchasing one billion at-home, rapid COVID-19 tests to give to Americans at no cost. A half-billion tests are available for order and are being mailed directly to households around the country. People are able to order their tests online at COVIDTests.gov, and tests will typically ship within 7-12 days of ordering. This distribution method can spur a wave of scams if people are not aware of the right website or where to go to get the test. To avoid being victims of at home COVID- 19 testing scams, the Division of Consumer Protection offers the following tips:
If you choose to shop online for at home COVID testing kits, keep these tips in mind[1]:
For up-to-date information on COVID-19 testing and vaccination information, visit the New York State Department of Health website or call the COVID-19 Hotline at 1-888-364-3065. The New York State Division of Consumer Protection serves to educate, assist and empower the State’s consumers. For more consumer protection information, call the DCP Helpline at 800-697-1220, Monday through Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm or visit the DCP website at www.dos.ny.gov/consumerprotection. The Division can also be reached via Twitter at @NYSConsumer or Facebook at www.facebook.com/nysconsumer.
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[1] Federal Trade Commission, See:https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2022/01/how-avoid-buying-fake-covid-tests-online
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