STATEMENT FROM DCBA DIRECTOR RAFAEL CARBAJAL
“Our Board of Supervisors is committed to keeping testing sites trustworthy and free to the public. We are actively monitoring, investigating, and working alongside law enforcement to crack down on any fraudulent testing sites. Our investigators are now visiting testing sites across the County to follow up on reports of fraudulent activity.”
The Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA) has recently received questions and consumer complaints about COVID-19 testing sites. Some consumers have inquired about suspicious-looking pop-up testing sites. Some have taken tests and not received results in the timeframe promised, and some claimed to not receive their test results at all.
As demand for COVID-19 tests reaches an all-time high, DCBA and LA County reminds consumers to use caution and good consumer safety practices when seeking a testing site or at-home testing kit.
August 2022 Update from the Federal Trade Commission: Free COVID test scam targets people on Medicare
Scammers have been targeting Medicare recipients with a fake offer to get “free COVID tests.” They’re calling and running websites, online and television ads to try to convince people to give their Medicare information. But if you give them your information, they’ll bill fraudulent charges to Medicare. Visit the FTC website for more information and how to report if you’ve been a victim of this scam.
March 2022 Update: COVID TESTING DOs and DON’Ts
DO
- DO check packages for tampering, (unsealed box, etc.).
- DO ensure test kit is FDA approved or authorized under an FDA Emergency Use Authorization.
- Approved tests: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/tests-used-clinical-care/find-all-fda-approved-home-and-lab-tests
- Authorized molecular tests: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-emergency-use-authorizations-medical-devices/in-vitro-diagnostics-euas-molecular-diagnostic-tests-sars-cov-2
- Authorized antigen tests: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-emergency-use-authorizations-medical-devices/in-vitro-diagnostics-euas-antigen-diagnostic-tests-sars-cov-2
- DO look up approved Los Angeles County test sites.
- DO report suspicious test sites to Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs.
- DO order your four FREE at home test kits at gov.
- DO ensure test kits have not expired.
- DO compare at-home COVID-19 test kit prices from local and online major retailers.
- DO keep your receipt and packaging in case you need to provide information regarding the test kit you purchased.
- DO report price gouging to Los Angeles Department of Consumer and Business Affairs.
- DO use caution when providing your personal information at testing sites.
- DO remember test sites may ask for your social security number, but it is not a requirement to obtain a test.
DON’T
- DON’T get overcharged by a business during a declared emergency, businesses generally cannot increase prices greater than 10% of the highest price or sell test kits at an “unconscionably excessive” price during a declared emergency.
- DON’T purchase a home test kit that has been separated by the business and sold individually. California’s Health and Safety Code prohibits businesses, unless they have obtained a manufacturing license, from repackaging or otherwise changing the container, wrapper, or labeling of an COVID-19 At-Home Test Kit.
QR CODES
DO
- DO ensure that the scanned QR code opens the intended business page and not something else.
- DO use caution when entering login, personal or bank information to any website accessed through a QR code.
DON’T
- DON’T open links, text messages, or scan QR codes about COVID-19 from unknown phone numbers.
- DON’T download any app if prompted by QR code. Instead, go to your phone’s app store to verify the app and download only if needed.
Previous tips from January 2022
USE A VETTED LA COUNTY COVID TESTING FACILITY
As the need for testing increases, it’s important to note that not all COVID-19 testing sites in Los Angeles County are affiliated or operated by the LA County government. COVID testing sites are also being operated by private companies, private health care systems, and local municipalities. Some privately operated sites even charge for their testing services.
Visit covid.lacounty.gov/testing to find testing locations that have been vetted by LA County.
As of January 7, there are approximately 260 COVID-19 testing locations available throughout LA County listed, including 66 operated by the County and seven by the State of California. The remaining locations are operated by testing partners that have been pre-screened by LA County to ensure that they offer tests:
- With no out-of-pocket cost
- To everyone regardless of health insurance status
- To everyone regardless of immigration status
- Using an emergency use authorization (EUA) test or lab-developed test approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
LA County does not have oversight over testing sites not directly operated by LA County Department of Health Services.
USE LA COUNTY’S NEW GRAB-AND-GO TESTS
This week, LA County has introduced a “Pick-Up Testing Kit” program and is encouraging residents to visit one of 13 County-run locations to pick up a PCR test, perform the test themselves, and return it to a testing site to be processed.
JAN. 18 UPDATE: ORDER FREE AT-HOME TESTS FROM THE U.S. GOVERNMENT
Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order four free at-home COVID-19 tests. The tests are completely free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. Order your tests now so you have them when you need them.
Visit covidtests.gov.
AVOID POSSIBLE PHONY TESTING SITES
Like with any other purchase or contract, it’s best to stick to the institutions or companies you know and trust when choosing to get a COVID-19 test. If a so-called testing site appears in an unusual setting or acts in an unprofessional manner, beware of possible fraud. It’s possible that thieves may be seeking your personal, medical, or insurance information to commit fraud. Some might charge you money upfront for a phony in-person or at-home test.
If you believe you have visited a fake COVID-19 pop-up site or purchased a fake COVID-19 at-home test, please report it to us at bit.ly/DCBAHelp or call (800) 593-8222.
If you believe your personal or financial information was stolen, follow our tips to avoid and report identity theft.
REPORT PRICE GOUGING
If you have purchased an at-home COVID-19 test and believe you were unfairly overcharged, report it to DCBA using our online tool: stoppricegouging.dcba.lacounty.gov.
Alerta de estafa: Evite el fraude de pruebas de COVID-19
El Departamento de Consumidor y Negocios del Condado de Los Ángeles (DCBA) recientemente recibió preguntas y quejas de los consumidores sobre los sitios de prueba de COVID-19. Algunos consumidores han preguntado acerca de unos sitios de prueba para el COVID-19 que parecen sospechosos. Algunas personas se han hecho pruebas y no han recibido los resultados en el tiempo prometido, en los tiempos de respuesta para las pruebas, y algunas personas aún no han recibido sus resultados.
A medida que la demanda de pruebas de COVID-19 alcanza un máximo histórico, DCBA y el condado de Los Ángeles les recuerdan a los consumidores que tengan precaución y buenas prácticas de seguridad cuando busquen un sitio de prueba o un kit de prueba en el hogar.
UTILICE UN CENTRO DE PRUEBAS DE COVID VERIFICADO DEL CONDADO DE LOS ÁNGELES
A medida que aumenta la necesidad de realizar pruebas, es importante tener en cuenta que no todos los sitios de pruebas de COVID-19 en el condado de Los Ángeles están afiliados o operados por el gobierno del condado de Los Ángeles. Los sitios de prueba de COVID también están siendo operados por empresas privadas, sistemas privados de atención médica y municipios locales. Incluso, algunos sitios operados de forma privada cobran por sus servicios de prueba.
Visite covid.lacounty.gov/testing para encontrar sitios de prueba que hayan sido examinados por el condado de Los Ángeles.
A partir del 7 de enero, hay aproximadamente 260 sitios de prueba de COVID-19 disponibles en todo el condado de Los Ángeles. Hay ubicaciones operados por socios que han sido preseleccionados por el condado de Los Ángeles que ofrecen pruebas:
- Sin costo de bolsillo
- Para todos, independientemente del estado del seguro de salud
- A todos sin importar su estatus migratorio
- Usando una prueba de autorización de uso de emergencia (EUA) o una prueba desarrollada en laboratorio aprobada por la Administración de Alimentos y Medicamentos de los Estados Unidos
El condado de Los Ángeles no supervisa los sitios de prueba que no son operados directamente por el Departamento de Servicios de Salud del condado de Los Ángeles.
UTILICE LAS NUEVAS PRUEBAS ‘GRAB AND GO’ DEL CONDADO DE LOS ÁNGELES
Esta semana, el condado de Los Ángeles ha presentado un programa para obtener un kit de prueba en casa y está alentando a los residentes a visitar una de las 13 ubicaciones administradas por el condado para recoger una prueba de PCR, realizar la prueba ellos mismos y devolverla a un sitio de prueba para ser procesado.
ENERO 18: SOLICITE PRUEBAS EN CASA GRATUITAS DEL GOBIERNO DE ESTADOS UNIDOS
Cada hogar en los Estados Unidos es elegible para solicitar cuatro pruebas de COVID-19 gratuitas de hogar. Las pruebas son completamente gratuitas. Los pedidos generalmente se enviarán en 7-12 días. Pida sus pruebas ahora para tenerlas cuando las necesite.
Visite covidtests.gov.
EVITE POSIBLE SITIOS DE PRUEBAS FALSAS
Al igual que con cualquier otra compra o contrato es mejor visitar a las instituciones o empresas que conoce y en las que confía cuando elige hacerse una prueba de COVID-19. Si un supuesto sitio de prueba aparece en un lugar inusual o actúa de manera no profesional, tenga cuidado con un posible fraude. Es posible que estos ladrones estén buscando su información personal, médica o su seguro para cometer fraude. Algunos intentan cobrar dinero por una prueba falsa en persona o en el hogar.
Si cree que ha visitado un sitio falso de COVID-19 o ha comprado una prueba casera falsa de COVID-19, infórmenos en bit.ly/DCBAHelp o llame al (800) 593-8222.
Si cree que le robaron su información personal o financiera, siga nuestros consejos para evitar y denunciar el robo de identidad.
REPORTE PRECIOS EXTRAORDINARIOS
Si compro una prueba de COVID-19 para el hogar y cree que le cobraron de más de manera injusta, repórtelo a DCBA a través de: stoppricegouging.dcba.lacounty.gov.
