Scammers continue to capitalize on coronavirus misinformation by offering fake antibody tests, the FBI warned, which could be used to steal personal information.
The FBI said this month that fraudsters are touting fake or unproven antibody tests and marketing them to people to steal Social Security numbers or health insurance information.
Antibody tests are used to determine whether someone was infected with Covid-19 in the past and has since developed antibodies, which protect the body from becoming infected with Covid-19 again.
The US Food and Drug Administration has approved some antibody tests, and they’ve all been previously tested by the National Institutes of Health’s National Cancer Institute or another government agency. But it’s not easy to make that distinction when you’re being offered an antibody test over the phone.
The FBI said being offered a test at all is one sign you’re being scammed. Labs test patients who request them, and if marketers offer free tests or dangle incentives for getting one, that’s a red flag.
Other warnings include targeted ads on social media, email or unsolicited phone calls — if you’re being offered a test without expressing interest through your doctor, say no, the FBI said.
Before you agree to any antibody tests, the FBI recommends you talk with your doctor — they should know the tests that are FDA-approved and considered accurate. The FBI also suggests using well-known labs approved by your health insurance and never sharing personal information with anyone besides your health care provider.
