Smithtown Police Warn Of 'Free' COVID-19 Antibody Tests

SMITHTOWN, NY—The Smithtown Department of Public Safety is taking to social media to warn residents about potential fraud schemes related to antibody tests for COVID-19.

"Have you seen marketers offering 'free' COVID-19 antibody tests or performing antibody tests for cash? The FBI warns the public to be aware of potential indicators of fraudulent activity," the department posted this week on its official Facebook page.

According to the FBI, scammers are marketing fraudulent and/or unapproved COVID-19 antibody tests, potentially providing false results. In addition, the agency said fraudsters are seeking to obtain individuals’ personal information (names, dates of birth, social security numbers, etc.) and personal health information, including Medicare and/or private health insurance information, which can be used in future medical insurance or identity theft schemes.

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 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and their efficacy has not been determined.

The FBI warns 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

The FBI recommends:

• Checking the FDA’s website (fda.gov) for an updated list of approved antibody tests and testing companies
• Consulting your primary care physician before undergoing any at-home antibody tests
• Using a known laboratory approved by your health insurance company to provide the antibody testing
• Not sharing your personal or health information to anyone other than known and trusted medical professionals
• Checking your medical bills and insurance explanation of benefits (EOBs) for any suspicious claims and promptly reporting any errors to your health insurance provider
• Following guidance and recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other trusted medical professionals

If you believe you have been the victim of a COVID-19 fraud, immediately report it to National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or justice.gov/disastercomplaintform, or the FBI (ic3.gov, tips.fbi.gov, or 1-800-CALL-FBI).