Don’t be fooled by fake COVID test scammers. Here’s what to avoid

Marlene Alvarez of the South Central Family Health Center has her nose swabbed for a COVID-19 test on Dec. 29. What to expect at a legitimate testing site If you visit a proper testing site, Anza Vang, Orange County’s deputy chief of public health services strategy and development and Keven Chavez, public information officer for L.A. County’s Department of Consumer and Business Affairs, said, you will be asked for your first and last name, your date of birth, how you prefer to receive your test result, and your insurance information. “Neither L.A. County nor our partners set up on city sidewalks.” Orange County currently does not operate any testing sites itself, Vang said. What to look out for Some warning signs that local officials shared include: A provider asking about your nationality or immigration status A site asking for your Social Security number No notice of privacy practices provided, or no explanation for how your personal data will be used A provider demanding to see your passport or driver’s license when you have other documents that show your insurance status Employees at the site who are not wearing full protective gear Misspellings or unusual names in the URL for the website where the testing provider required you to sign up online Misspellings in forms that ask for personal information An unsolicited call or text from the testing site. If you receive one, do not provide any personal information until you have confirmed that source of the call or text is legitimate How to report a suspected scam If you believe you have been scammed by a fake COVID-19 testing site, report it to your local police department or sheriff’s office, and file a complaint online with the California attorney general’s office or by phone with the HHS inspector general’s office at 447-8477.