The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released its latest safety guidelines for holiday gatherings in response to increased Omicron infection rates in the U.S. While vaccination and mask-wearing are at the top of the list, the CDC is also recommending that individuals test themselves before seeing friends and family. This has led to a surge in consumers purchasing at-home rapid COVID test kits. With many drug store shelves now empty, consumers are turning to online resources to locate these tests. Better Business Bureau® Serving Greater Cleveland (BBB®) along with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have previously warned consumers about the dangers of fake tests, treatments and vaccines. With the Omicron variant posed to continue to increase infection rates, BBB is once again reminding consumers to be careful of websites and individuals selling products that claim to prevent, treat, cure or test for COVID-19.
Additionally, federal plans to distribute 500 million rapid tests were recently announced. While details such as how these tests will be delivered and how consumers can request one are still waiting to be disclosed, BBB Serving Greater Cleveland recommends consumers keep the following tips in mind when locating rapid tests and shopping for other COVID-related products:
-
Check with your doctor or local health department. Your healthcare provider may be able to help you locate a legitimate testing facility or provider of COVID tests. If you don’t have a primary care physician, check out the official website of your local health department for more information on testing availability. Some local health departments are distributing rapid tests through county library locations.
-
Check claims of FDA approval. Not all COVID-19 tests have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and their efficacy has not been determined. Check the FDA website for a list of approved tests, equipment manufacturers and testing companies.
-
Be Suspicious of Advertising Claims – There is no product available that can cure or provide a “quick” recovery from COVID-19. Additionally, be suspicious of products that claim to treat a wide range of diseases. Remember that personal testimonials are no substitute for scientific evidence and — as always — if a product appears to be too good to be true, it probably is.
-
Only buy from reputable stores and websites. The best way to avoid getting scammed is to buy them directly from a seller you know and trust. Check BBB.org to see what other consumers’ experiences have been.
-
Be sure the online store has working contact info: If a company seems legitimate but you aren’t familiar with it, be extra careful with your personal information. Before offering up your name, address and credit card information, make sure the company is legitimate. Unscrupulous sites open up consumers to additional risk from stolen personal information, such as credit card numbers.
As the Omicron variant spreads, be wary of other coronavirus cons. Read BBB’s alert about fake coronavirus cures and BBB’s Top 6 Coronavirus Scams. For the latest information, BBB Serving Greater Cleveland recommends consumers visit BBB.org.
If you’ve spotted a scam (whether or not you’ve lost money), report it to BBB.org/ScamTracker. Your report can help others avoid falling victim to scams. You can also visit Scam Tracker to view the latest reported scams.
