COVID-19 test sites under investigation after complaints alleging ‘false testing’

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COVID-19 test sites under investigation after complaints alleging ‘false testing’

Complaints have started to surface across the country about pop-up COVID-19 testing sites operated by the Center for Covid Control.

SEATTLE – The Washington Attorney General and the Better Business Bureau are investigating a COVID-19 testing company that is inundated with negative reviews and complaints. The Center for Covid Control operates sites across the country, including Washington and Oregon.

Some of the complaints on the BBB website accuse the company of defrauding customers. Many of them say they haven’t received the test results.

In the Seattle International District, the words “FAKE TESTS” were spray painted outside a “Center for Covid Control” pop-up testing site.

This is just one of nearly a dozen testing sites in Washington state and 300 nationwide operated by the Illinois-based company.

The company is apparently not affiliated with the King County Department of Health of the Washington State Department of Health.

Now there are allegations of fake testing across the country, including people who say they received their test results before they were even tested.

The Washington State Attorney General’s Office told FOX 13 News it had received two complaints from consumers about the testing sites.

The BBB also received two from the Seattle area, saying in a statement, “The BBB is actively monitoring reports of COVID-19 test sites that have recently opened in the United States under different names. “

At another site in Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood, FOX 13 attempted to set up a test. The system asks for various personal information, including photos of your driver’s license or ID card and your insurance information. A screen during the registration process also requires you to waive your rights regarding the protection of your health information under HIPAA laws.

FOX 13 News has contacted the Center for Covid Control twice for a response, but we have not received a response.

RELATED: How To Find Home COVID-19 Tests: Websites Track Availability As Demand Grows

Complaints Across America

In Oregon, a family raised a red flag over a testing site in the Portland area. They told KOIN-TV that the whole experience “seemed a bit sketchy”. They said they were told to put their PCR tests in a trash can that looked like a trash can. Their tests came back negative except for one which never gave a result. To be on the safe side, they were tested again and found to be positive.

Another family in Florida told WINK-TV that they have received their test results and will still line up to be tested.

KOIN also reports that the Justice Department has opened a civil investigation into the company.

The Office of the Inspector General of the US Department of Health and Human Services said there had been an increase in complaints of COVID-19 fraud, many related to testing.

“We are seeing fraudulent activity around testing. It could be random pop-up sites and home test kits,” Yvonne Gamble, acting director of communications for the office, told USA Today. “Be careful. Be careful. Be careful and make sure the person you are dealing with is a licensed supplier and a place you can trust.”

CDC may recommend N95, KN95 masks

Rachel Roubein of the Washington Post talks about the CDC who may recommend the KN95 and N95 masks.

The FBI has also warned of the emerging schemes:

“Beware of people who contact you in person, by phone or email to tell you that government or government officials are asking you to take a COVID-19 test. These scammers will likely ask you for your insurance information. health insurance, including your Medicare or Medicaid Previous investigations into healthcare fraud have shown that once scammers get an individual’s personal information, they use it to bill healthcare programs. Federal health and / or private health insurance plans for tests and procedures that the individual has not received and pocket Beware of unsolicited offers that require or request information about your medical insurance.

“Also beware of people offering to sell you a COVID-19 test kit or supplies, especially when these contacts are unexpected. A doctor or other trusted healthcare provider should assess your condition and approve any request for a COVID-19 test. Some crooks are selling fake home test kits; some even go door-to-door and run false tests for money. Legitimate tests are offered free of charge to patients when administered by a healthcare professional. “

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