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How to know your COVID-19 test site is legit

How to know your COVID-19 test site is legit
FLENER IS IN RAYTOWN TO EXPLAIN. MATT: WE KNOW SO MANY OF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR COVID TESTS RIGHT NOW AT PLACES LIKE THIS, THE CENTER FOR COVID CONTROL. THE LINE WEDNESDAY WENT OUT THE DOOR. >> I CAME TO GET TESTED BECAUSE MYOB. J MATTKE: YSHA YOUNG SAYS HER FIRST TEST RESULTS CAME QUICKLY TUESY.DA >> SO SHE CAME BACK WITH HER MOM FOR A FREE RAPID TEST, EXPECTING MUCH THE SAME THING. BUT AFTER LEARNING THE BUSINESS HAS F RATING FROM THE BEERTT BUSINESS BUREAU, PEOPLE YISANG THEY GOT NO RESULTS OR RESULTS WERE STILL PENDING, SHE DHA QUESTIS.ON >> ARE THE TESTS THAT Y’ALL DOING COMING BACK WRONG? IS THERE A PROBLEM WITH WHAT YOU’RE DOING OR YOU')RE DOING WHATEVER YOU NEED TO DO TO KEEP EVERYBODY SAFE? TTMA: KMBC 9 INVESTIGATES FOUND 300 LOCATIONS FOR THE CENTER FOR COVID CONTROL AROUND THE COUNTRY. BUT MISSOURI SECRETARY OF STATE DIDN’T BRING UP ANY BUSINESSES BY THAT NAME. A SPOKESMAN FOR MISSOURI ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE TELLS KMBC THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED COMPLAINTS. LEADERS WITH BOTH THE JACKNSO AND CLAY COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS TELL KMBC THEY ARE LOOKING INTO THE COMPANY AFTER COMPLAINTS HAVE COME IN. >> THE EXPERIENCE ISRE GAT IN TERMS OF THE TURNAROUND FOR RESULTS. MATT: YOLANDBUA SH DIDN’T HAVE PROBLEMS WITH HER TEST RESULTS. BUT. >> MY CONCERN WOULD BE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN A CLOSED VIENRONMENT AT THE SAME TIME. MATT THOSE ARE ALL ISSUES WE’LL : CONTINUE TO WATCH IN THE COMING DAYS. WE’D LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT
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How to know your COVID-19 test site is legit
As the demand for COVID-19 testing increases, more fake and unauthorized at-home tests and testing sites are popping up across the country.According to the Federal Trade Commission, fake testing sites may look real and have signs, tents, hazmat suits and tests that also look realistic. The FTC has received reports of sites that claim to have free tests, but bills people later or never sends test results. "Fake sites are taking people's personal information, including Social Security numbers, credit card information and other health information — which can be used for identity theft or to run up your credit card bill," the FTC release says. "Worst of all, they're not giving people the help they need to stay healthy."An Illinois-based company that boasts 275 locations across the country is drawing concerns in several states. The Minnesota Attorney General’s office filed a lawsuit against the Center for COVID Control and Doctors Clinical Laboratories, alleging the company failed to deliver test results, or delivered test results that were falsified or inaccurate. The Better Business Bureau also gave the company an F rating. The agency has recently taken complaints about missing test results and long delays.The linked Twitter account for the company has also been suspended and, in Massachusetts, health officials have ordered the company to stop testing at its three storefront locations in the state. Health officials determined that the Center for COVID Control's Massachusetts locations were offering tests without the required state permits or registration. As a result, the state issued cease and desist letters ordering the business to stop providing those tests.In response, the company issued a statement that says it would "temporarily pause further collection of patient specimens." The company said it would use this "operational pause" for additional staff training in sample collection and handling, a refocus on customer service and communication practices, and to ensure compliance with regulatory guidelines.The FTC says there are a few things you can keep in mind when you're looking for a COVID-19 testing site: • Get a referral. The FTC recommends going to a testing site referred by your doctor or that's listed on your state or local health department’s website."In other words, don't trust a random testing site you see around town," the FTC says. • Check the source. Testing sites recommended on a neighborhood social media email list could turn out to be a scanner. It's best to find a testing site that's also listed on your state or local health department's website.• Ask for more information. If you're unsure about a testing site, check with local law enforcement. Police departments and sheriff's offices should know if a legitimate testing site is set up and will want more details if a fake site is in operation.If you think you went to a fake site and shared your credit card information, dispute the charge.You can also report a fake COVID-19 testing site to local law enforcement or the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

As the demand for COVID-19 testing increases, more fake and unauthorized at-home tests and testing sites are popping up across the country.

According to the , fake testing sites may look real and have signs, tents, hazmat suits and tests that also look realistic.

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The FTC has received reports of sites that claim to have free tests, but bills people later or never sends test results.

"Fake sites are taking people's personal information, including Social Security numbers, credit card information and other health information — which can be used for identity theft or to run up your credit card bill," the FTC release says. "Worst of all, they're not giving people the help they need to stay healthy."

An Illinois-based company that boasts 275 locations across the country is drawing concerns in several states.

The Minnesota Attorney General’s office filed a against the Center for COVID Control and Doctors Clinical Laboratories, alleging the company failed to deliver test results, or delivered test results that were falsified or inaccurate.

The Better Business Bureau also gave the company an F rating. The agency has recently taken complaints about missing test results and long delays.

The linked Twitter account for the company has also been suspended and, in Massachusetts, health officials have ordered the company to stop testing at its three storefront locations in the state.

Health officials determined that the Center for COVID Control's Massachusetts locations were offering tests without the required state permits or registration. As a result, the state issued cease and desist letters ordering the business to stop providing those tests.

In response, the company issued a statement that says it would "temporarily pause further collection of patient specimens."

The company said it would use this "operational pause" for additional staff training in sample collection and handling, a refocus on customer service and communication practices, and to ensure compliance with regulatory guidelines.

The FTC says there are a few things you can keep in mind when you're looking for a COVID-19 testing site:

• Get a referral. The FTC recommends going to a testing site referred by your doctor or that's listed on your or health department’s website.

"In other words, don't trust a random testing site you see around town," the FTC says.

• Check the source. Testing sites recommended on a neighborhood social media email list could turn out to be a scanner. It's best to find a testing site that's also listed on your state or local health department's website.

• Ask for more information. If you're unsure about a testing site, check with local law enforcement. Police departments and sheriff's offices should know if a legitimate testing site is set up and will want more details if a fake site is in operation.

If you think you went to a fake site and shared your credit card information, .

You can also report a fake COVID-19 testing site to local law enforcement or the FTC at .