BBB: Beware of fake COVID-19 test kit charges to Medicare

        The BBB recently started getting calls from eagle-eyed Medicare beneficiaries seeing fake COVID-19 test charges on their Medicare statements.
        The scam comes in two flavors: charges for test kits they never ordered or exorbitant charges for test kits they got, even though they didn’t actually order them. Such charges will appear on the monthly Medicare beneficiary statements but are easy to miss unless you know to look.
        In both cases, such unapproved charges are fraudulently billed to Medicare using the beneficiary’s personal account information. The charges themselves cost the U.S. taxpayer, but the appearance of fake charges also suggests the scammers obtained the beneficiary’s personal information – which raises other red flags and concerns.
        The problem became serious back in February, prompting the Inspector General for the Department of Health & Human Services (which runs Medicare) to issue a press release offering this advice to Medicare beneficiaries:
        • Be cautious of unsolicited requests for their personal, medical, and financial information. Medicare will not call beneficiaries to offer COVID-19 related products, services or benefit reviews.
        • Be careful. Scammers are selling fake and unauthorized at-home COVID-19 test kits in exchange for your personal or medical information. Make sure to purchase FDA-approved COVID-19 test kits from legitimate providers.
         • Scammers are sending COVID-19 at home test kits to Medicare beneficiaries and then billing Medicare for reimbursement. If you received COVID-19 test kits that you did not order, please report it.
        • Do not give your personal or financial information to anyone claiming to offer HHS grants related to COVID-19.
        • Be cautious of any COVID-19 testing site that requires your financial or medical information in order to receive a free test.
        • Be mindful of advertisements for COVID-19 testing or treatments on social media platforms. If you make an appointment for a COVID-19 test online, make sure the location is an approved testing site. We encourage the public to check official government websites for a list of approved COVID-19 testing sites.
        • Do not purchase or reproduce fake COVID-19 proof of vaccination cards, and do not fill-in blank vaccination cards with false information.
        • Offers to purchase COVID-19 vaccination cards are scams. Valid proof of COVID-19 vaccination can only be provided to individuals by legitimate providers administering vaccines.
        • Photos of COVID-19 vaccination cards should not be shared on social media. Posting content that includes your date of birth, health care details or other personally identifiable information can be used to steal your identity.
        • Be cautious of COVID-19 survey scams. Do not give your personal, medical or financial information to anyone claiming to offer money or gifts in exchange for your participation in a COVID-19 vaccine survey.
        • Be mindful of how you dispose of COVID-19 materials such as syringes, vials, vial container boxes, vaccination record cards, and shipment or tracking records. Improper disposal of these items could be used by bad actors to commit fraud.
        • Be suspicious of any unexpected calls or visitors offering COVID-19 tests or supplies. If you receive a suspicious call, hang up immediately.
        • Do not respond to, or open links in text messages about COVID-19 from unknown individuals.
        • Be aware of scammers pretending to be COVID-19 contact tracers. Legitimate contact tracers will never ask for your medical or financial information or attempt to set up a COVID-19 test.
        BBB expects to get more calls as this fraud moves into the area and as monthly Medicare statements arrive, and we will continue to assist consumers who spot them.
        The Inspector General recommends suspected COVID-19 health care fraud be reported online or by calling 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477).
        Lane Montz is president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau and Better Business Bureau Ethics Foundation, Inc., Toledo Metropolitan Area.