Beware of fake coronavirus antibody tests, the FBI warns

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.

MORE: Test for past infection (antibody test)

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.

And if you’ve received individual calls, texts or emails from unknown people telling you that the government requires you to take an antibody test, that’s not true either. Antibody tests are voluntary.

Dr. Luis Aponte of Fort Myers explains, “The sensitivity and specificity of tests that are not FDA approved can be misleading, can lead to misdiagnosis and eventual medical treatment and complications from not being treated appropriately.”

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.

This is just the latest in a months-long string of coronavirus scams. Since the pandemic began in March, fraudsters have called and texted people saying they’ve been infected with coronavirus and lead them to a link to submit personal information. Scammers also call people and tell them they must provide a hospital with personal and financial information over the phone because someone they know is sick with coronavirus.

MORE: FBI: Protect your wallet and your health form pandemic scammers

The coronavirus antibody tests aren’t always reliable as it is, because it’s not clear when coronavirus antibodies develop in the body or whether every coronavirus patient will develop antibodies at all. But tests could become an important indicator of the virus’s spread when scientists answer some lingering questions.

Even FDA-approved coronavirus antibody tests may be inaccurate up to 50% of the time. In May, the CDC warned healthcare providers that coronavirus antibodies are expected to be low in most of the country, so testing could create more false-positive results (meaning that the test results indicate they’ve been infected when they haven’t), and they shouldn’t be used by policymakers to decide when to reopen spaces like offices and dorms.

The FBI warns the public to be aware of the following potential indicators of fraudulent activity:

• Claims of FDA approval for antibody testing that cannot be verified
• Advertisements for antibody testing through social media platforms, email, telephone calls, online, or from unsolicited/unknown sources
• Marketers offering “free” COVID-19 antibody tests or providing incentives for undergoing testing
• Individuals contacting you in person, phone, or email to tell you the government or government officials require you to take a COVID-19 antibody test
• Practitioners offering to perform antibody tests for cash

The FBI recommends:

• Checking the FDA’s website (fda.gov) for an updated list of approved antibody tests and testing companies
• Consulting your primary care physician before undergoing any at-home antibody tests
• Using a known laboratory approved by your health insurance company to provide the antibody testing
• Not sharing your personal or health information to anyone other than known and trusted medical professionals
• Checking your medical bills and insurance explanation of benefits (EOBs) for any suspicious claims and promptly reporting any errors to your health insurance provider
• Following guidance and recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other trusted medical professionals

If you believe you have been the victim of a COVID-19 fraud, immediately report it to National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at (866) 720-5721 or justice.gov/disastercomplaintform, or the FBI (ic3.gov, tips.fbi.gov, or 1-800-CALL-FBI).

For up-to-date information about COVID-19, visit:

• coronavirus.gov
• cdc.gov/coronavirus
• usa.gov/coronavirus
• fbi.gov/coronavirus
• justice.gov/coronavirus