While free at-home COVID tests from the government should be arriving soon, you may still need to buy tests more frequently due to the surge of the Omicron variant. Just like fake N95 masks exist, so do fake at-home COVID tests. Here’s how to ensure what you’re buying is an actual (and reliable) COVID test.
How to Avoid Buying a Fake COVID Test
Scammers are preying on the high demand for COVID tests, selling bogus or expired tests, overcharging, or taking your money with no tests in return. The Federal Trade Commission warned that using fake at-home test kits is not only a waste of money, but it increases your risk of potentially spreading COVID or not getting the treatment you need if you get an inaccurate negative test result. Here’s how to ensure your test is legitimate:
- Make sure the at-home COVID test is authorized by the FDA. Here’s the FDA’s authorized list of antigen tests and the FDA’s authorized list of molecular diagnostic tests. Choose from these brands.
- According to CBS News, check the test’s expiration date. Some scammers are selling real, but expired, tests, which can yield inaccurate results.
- Before buying, make sure the tests come with detailed instructions. Some companies are buying packs of 25 or 50 tests that are meant for professional use, and breaking them up to sell for more money. So if it doesn’t come with directions or says “for professional use,” that’s a red flag.
- Research the seller, especially if you’re buying from an unfamiliar…
