FBI cautions against potential COVID-19 antibody test fraud
FBI cautions against potential COVID-19 antibody test fraud
Published: 11:39 am Jun 29, 2020
KATHMANDU: The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has warned the public about potential fraud schemes related to antibody tests for COVID-19. A statement issued by the FBI National Press Office, Washington DC, on Friday, said scammers were marketing fraudulent or unapproved COVID-19 antibody tests, potentially providing false results. In addition, fraudsters were seeking to obtain individuals’ personal information (name, date of birth, Social Security number, among others) and personal health information, including Medicare or private health insurance information, which could be used in future medical insurance or identity theft schemes, the domestic intelligence and security service of the United States said in the statement. 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. However, not all COVID-19 antibody tests have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and their efficacy has not been determined. The FBI has 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