Georgia health officials warn of COVID-19 testing scams

ATLANTA — Some of Georgia’s top legal and health officials are urging Georgians to keep an eye out for possible scams as COVID-19 cases surge.

They say some people may try to take advantage of the increase in cases by selling fake tests or raising the prices of tests an extreme amount.

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“Testing is a critical component for identifying outbreaks of COVID and to inform mitigation strategies,” said Georgia Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Kathleen Toomey. “Misinformation from unapproved COVID tests could result in people not following isolation and quarantine protocols and lead to further transmission of the virus and serious or life-threatening illness.”

Dr. Toomey and Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr say that if someone is going door-to-door or approaches you on the street to sell you a test, it’s likely a scam.

Carr adds that his office’s Consumer Protection Division has received reports of people being overcharged for COVID-19 tests.

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