Scams can be hard to identify, with technological advances giving more opportunities for scammers to step in and take advantage, and senior citizens are targeted at a higher rate.
Born out of the pandemic; scammers have been caught selling fake or unauthorized at-home COVID-19 tests to access people’s personal, financial and medical information.
Make sure to purchase an FDA-approved COVID-19 test kit from a legitimate provider, ignoring social media advertisements for tests. Police warn of an increase in online scams advertising COVID-19 treatments, essential oils or supplements.
Online sellers have marketed “oxygen concentration” equipment, “Corona Air Purifier Necklaces” and pills offering “anti-viral protection” for 30 days, while others sold non-approved test kits. Before submitting any personal or financial information be sure to verify the legitimacy of the website you are shopping from.
If you are concerned you may have purchased a fake or unauthorized test kit, contact the #SeniorMedicarePatrol by calling 877-808-2468 or HHS Office of Inspector General by calling 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
According to the AARP, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) had logged more than 676,000 consumer complaints related to COVID-19 and stimulus payments by the end of last month, with nearly three-quarters of them involving fraud or theft….
