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There’s a new federal resource to get free FDA-authorized coronavirus test kits. At COVIDtests.gov, you’ll find information about testing and a link to the U.S. Postal Service – special.usps.com/testkits – where you can order up to four rapid tests to be sent to your home address. Or order your kits by calling 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489). Your kits will be mailed through the U.S. Postal Service within 7 to 12 days.

 

The tests are completely free. There are no shipping costs, and you don’t have to give a credit card or bank account number. You only need to give a name and address. Once you place an order, you’ll get an order confirmation number. If you give your email address, you’ll also get an order confirmation email and delivery updates. Anyone who asks for more information than that is a scammer. So, remember:

  • Go to COVIDtests.gov or call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489) to order your free COVID test kits from the federal government. Online, if you click to order, you’ll be redirected to special.usps.com/testkits. If you follow a link from a news story, double-check the URL that shows in your browser’s address bar.
  • No one will call, text, or email you from the federal government to ask for your information to “help” you order free kits. Only a scammer will contact you, asking for information like your credit card, bank account, or Social Security number. Do not respond. Instead, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Please share this information with others and stay connected to stay informed. Subscribe to consumer alerts from the FTC to get updates delivered right to your email inbox.

If you spot a scammer offering COVID test kits, tell the FTC about it right away at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Or, file a complaint with your state or territory attorney general at consumerresources.org, the consumer website of the National Association of Attorneys General. Your reports can make a difference by helping us investigate, bring law enforcement cases, and alert people about what frauds to be on the lookout for so they can protect themselves, their friends, and family.

Note: This blog, originally posted on January 19, 2022, has been updated to include the toll-free telephone numbers to order test kits.

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The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted, and we won’t post comments that don’t comply with our commenting policy. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect.

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We don't edit comments to remove objectionable content, so please ensure that your comment contains none of the above. The comments posted on this blog become part of the public domain. To protect your privacy and the privacy of other people, please do not include personal information. Opinions in comments that appear in this blog belong to the individuals who expressed them. They do not belong to or represent views of the Federal Trade Commission.

evergreen3
January 19, 2022
In order to travel overseas, a PCR test is required. Is it possible to get those test kits, instead of the antigen test?
Mike W
January 19, 2022
Cant order the test kits, says they have already been ordered for this address. There are 20 different number units here. Something isnt working right, should have expected that.
FTC Staff
January 20, 2022

In reply to by Mike W

The order form has a space for you to enter your Apartment or Suite number. 

Les
January 21, 2022

In reply to by Deb

Try calling to order your kit - "Or order your kits by calling 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489)."
Judion't use y…
January 21, 2022

In reply to by Mike W

I have the same problem. If you live in a multi-unit house the site doesn't work.
Sacralifornia
January 21, 2022

In reply to by Judion't use y…

Did you try the verify address link they instruct you to use in this situation?
Kathie Merrill
January 19, 2022
I tried to order the tests, but it came back and said that someone had already used my address to order the tests. I am the only adult at this address. How can I get tests when I can't order them because it states I already have, or is this a BIG BIG bug in your ordering process?
Mar
January 19, 2022
Do we fill out form every month or do we automatically get 4 kits monthly?
ConcernedCitizen
January 20, 2022
I started to order these tests, but then I read the Privacy Act Statement below and became confused and concerned. Why do I need to agree to a laundry list of government lingo that I don’t understand? These are NOT FREE if you have to relinquish your rights to this many government agencies for the rest of your life? Please explain how accepting a FREE PRODUCT can be used to provide information “to agencies and entities to facilitate or resolve financial transactions????? This seems extremely obscure. special.usps.com • Privacy Act Statement Your information will be used to provide COVID-19 Testing Kits to the address you provided, and to provide company and product fulfillment information about that testing kit to a federal executive agency. Collection is authorized by 39 U.S.C. 401, 403, 404, and 411. Supplying your information is voluntary, but if not provided, we may not be able to fulfill your request for a COVID-19 Testing Kit. We do not disclose your information to third parties without your consent, except to act on your behalf or request, or as legally required. This includes the following limited circumstances: to a congressional office on your behalf; to agencies and entities to facilitate or resolve financial transactions; to a U.S. Postal Service auditor; for law enforcement purposes, to labor organizations as required by applicable law; incident to legal proceedings involving the Postal Service; to government agencies in connection with decisions as necessary; to agents or contractors when necessary to fulfill a business function or provide products and services to customers; for customer service purposes; and to other federal executive agencies pursuant to 39 U.S.C § 411. For more information regarding our privacy policies visit www.usps.com/privacypolicy.
Michael
January 21, 2022
I'm glad that I read this, I'm not going to trust anybody next the right people that send me this ("Covidtest Kits") out, next the federal government. These Scammers should be cought, and locked up for good. That's the way I've always felt about steeling from other people. THANK YOU AGAIN!
Michles
January 19, 2022
What is the phone number to call since I can’t get it sent to my apartment
RCinNJ
January 19, 2022
I live in a multi-family house with two apartments. My neighbors ordered tests (using their apartment number) and now I get a message that the address was used. My building only has two apartments, but this makes me wonder if the website is set up so only one family in an entire apartment building can order a kit? How can I correct this. There is nowhere on the site to report a problem or error.
JohnBell36
January 19, 2022
I used your order program for Covid-19 tests and find it easy to use. You should have a reordering system setup so I can order more after using these four test kits
Raingirl
January 20, 2022
Are these tests per person or per household?
mohammad
January 20, 2022
How do I get one for free?
upsett
January 20, 2022
i tried over 20 times to use website and each time the same response. We can not validate your address. Leave it to the new USPS. by the time the phone number is up many people will be fed up with mishaps /setbacks/lack of ability .
Don't use your…
January 20, 2022
Where I live there are different buildings ...I cant seem to get myself covit test because of my room mate.we aren't friends we are neighbors...
Dmbondo
January 20, 2022
We need a phone number to call and place an order. Thank you.
rkstudio
January 21, 2022

In reply to by Jo34

But what they didn't tell you is that the waiting period to talk to someone is 2 hours.
Lorraine531
January 20, 2022
My grandson ordered the covid test and used my address. Now what can i do. I want some for me and my husband.
COVID questions
January 20, 2022
Hello what if there is two family living in the same address home ??
Ellie WDon't u…
January 20, 2022
Having problem with ordering keeps saying someone has already ordered for this address. I live in a single family home and no one else in household has ordered. What do I do now?????
Jennifer
January 20, 2022
How do I get more than 4 tests
FTC Staff
January 20, 2022

In reply to by Jennifer

A household in the U.S. can order a set of four free at-home tests. The limit is one set of tests for each residential address. Go to special.usps.com/testkits to order the tests.

Islandgurl62
January 20, 2022
Put address , in and Lot# to our RV in Park...still can't order tests for our home!
eam72357
January 20, 2022
Why does it keep saying tests have already been ordered for this address when they have not? It's so frustrating
AE
January 20, 2022
Repeated multiple times to order . 5 units with same address but different unit address form obviously does not recognize different unit apt . Number same issue with phone call Says address already is registered address is apartment number is not
Petef1958
January 20, 2022
The place that really needs these kits are college students yet my daughter cannot order one since her college add is considered a business address. I guess I found the major flaw in this program.
Carol
January 20, 2022
I live in a 2 family house. I ordered my tests including the apt/floor #. My neighbor who lives in the apartment above me couldn't get the tests because they said the tests were already ordered for this address. Yes, same address but separate apartments. Need a solution.
Tr
January 20, 2022
Two households, one address. How can the second household get the government issued tests?
Denny L Williamson
January 21, 2022
Tried ordering covid test kit and USPS site, states an order for this address had been used. My wife also tried and got same reply. HOW DO YOU GET THE KIT?
Don'tdebbie L …
January 20, 2022
They are saying my PO Box is a business! Yes, my efficiency apartment office personnel picks up mail for its renters!this is where I get my mail.
Jade13
January 20, 2022
I have a family of 6 and I can only get 4? I get it is the average but I have 4 kids and a sig other.
Joyce Brown
January 20, 2022
I need a test so I won't get sick because that covid it don't play !
mauvett28
January 20, 2022
why after taking information you are told it cannot be sent to a business. This is a home address.
MJTSD
January 20, 2022
Have yet to receive an email confirmation of my order. When I try to resubmit order, says an order already made for my address. Is there a way to retrieve my order confirmation?
Pam
January 20, 2022
Ore than 4 people in my house
Brl_ajay
January 21, 2022
How to get free Covid kits
Isinformationused
January 21, 2022
Is the information given shared with any political party?
FTC Staff
January 21, 2022

In reply to by Isinformationused

You can decide whether you want to give your information to get test kits. The Privacy Act Statement on special.usps.com/testkits explains how your information will be used.

DeeDee
January 21, 2022
I'm getting the same already ordered at this address for my apartment like make others have commented. To everyone who asked for a phone number to call, there is one in the blog article. I'm going to email the facility itself and see if there is a glitch or if one family in an entire apartment complex can get them. Then maybe they can tell us if they work or not? Lol Hang in there people, I'm guessing a glitch.
Matthuweart
January 21, 2022
I wanna to canceled my order
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