FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

March 27, 2020 

New City, NY, - The Rockland County Office of Consumer Protection warns residents about fraudulent COVID-19 test kits. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is aggressively monitoring the market for any firms marketing products with fraudulent coronavirus (COVID-19) diagnostic, prevention and treatment claims. 

At this time, the FDA has NOT authorized any test that is available to purchase for testing yourself at home for COVID-19. The FDA is aware of the need to expand availability of COVID-19 testing including at home tests and is currently working with test developers in that capacity. 

Fraudulent health claims, tests, and products can pose serious health risks. They may keep some patients from seeking care or delay necessary medical treatment. The FDA reminds consumers to follow the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines that can be found here https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html and to speak to your medical provider if you have symptoms of COVID-19. Your medical provider will advise you about whether you should get tested and the process for being tested with an appropriate test. 

The FDA will take appropriate action to protect consumers from those who take advantage of a crisis to deceive the public by marketing tests that pose risks to patient health. This may include issuing warning letters, seizures or injunctions. Warning letters have already been issued to companies found selling and promoting fraudulent items, and additional actions will be forthcoming. Additionally, the FDA has stepped up enforcement at ports of entry, including International Mail Facilities, to ensure these fraudulent products that originate outside the country do not enter through our borders. 

If you are aware of fraudulent test kits for COVID-19, please report them by emailing FDA-COVID-19-Fraudulent-Products@fda.hhs.gov or call 1-888-INFO-FDA.