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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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Selgr1946
January 21, 2022
Get message invalid address. I have lived and received mail at this address for last 3 years. It is a single family residence.
Grg123
January 21, 2022
My brother owns his own home with a wife and two kids , I rent an apartment from him I tried to order free test kit from you guys I’m not allowed to get a kit because they ordered a test kit first , this is unfair to all renters in newyork state . You can’t talk to someone because they hang up when you ask to speak to a rep !
Sewtime
January 21, 2022
How d I know if my order was accepted
FTC Staff
January 21, 2022

In reply to by Sewtime

If you want to get a confirmation of your order and and tracking information, include an email address when you fill out the order form. 

bigjas51
January 21, 2022
Tried to order free test Covid test kit. But as usual the government doesn’t have everything in order. When I filled out the form online they think my home address is a business address. I’m here to tell you that my address is residential. This mistake is keeping me from getting the test that are free from our government. So how can this be resolved??
rkstudio
January 21, 2022

In reply to by bigjas51

I had the same problem. I'm going to wait about a month to give them enough time to maybe straighten it out.
Leo85
January 21, 2022
I just found out someone order test for me without my permission, how can I cancel this??
Ma7
January 21, 2022
I live in a single family house alone but when I tried to order it tells me that an order was already placed for this address. How can I get this corrected. I have not placed any previous orders.
Pj
January 21, 2022
Tried to order my free test and the site tells me that test Have already been ordered for this address. I am the only one who lives here and I have not ordered any.
Janet TK
January 21, 2022
A friend ordered for me as I have visual problems. She did not receive a confirmation. I did not know that my daughter also ordered for me and she did not receive a response either. I live in a multiple condo building and another owner told me that he did receive a confirmation as I had heard that some requests were not confirmed because of multiple units at the same address. Booth ny friend and daughter included our unit number on the request but again neither received a confirmation or notice that the address was already used. What do I do as I do need the kit as I am caregiver for my husband who is a quad and recently broke his meck in three places. I am not able to run around and look for kits.
David
January 21, 2022
I live in a multiunit apartment building. The site doesn't accept the address. I called and the system loops me to the vaccine finder site. I tried to call three times with the same result..
Lisa
January 22, 2022
Can not order..there are other apartments at this address. They blame it on the post office
Jphospitalworker
January 22, 2022
I live in a house and its telling me the test are already ordered for my address also. I have not ordered any test.
susan
January 22, 2022
I tried and even called and it tells me my address was already used what do I do
MarieD
January 22, 2022
I wasnt able to receive my free covid test because I live in a two family house. The other tenants have the same address as me. How can I get my free covid test kit. I tried sending away doesnt allow me. Because the tenants upstairs already used my address. Who can I contact for my free covid test. That is not right Iam different family. Please let me know
Robib
January 22, 2022
Just ordered my kits and had no problems
Notest use you…
January 22, 2022
I live in a area that has no delivery service to residents PO Box’s or General at post office. I tried both by phone and on line said not a valid address on line and then by phone said no business or medical facility. This is a single family home with no business or medical Association. There is no option to find a resumption. Help.
Cafemajor
January 22, 2022
What do people with MORE then four people in a single house suppose to do about at home covid tests?
ddob
January 22, 2022
Says I have already ordered for my address, they can’t even get that right ugh!
stevebogue
January 22, 2022
I am trying to get the free covid test kits sent to my home. There is no button to click on for this.
Anne-Marie Johnson
January 23, 2022
Won't accept my address.
kmj
January 24, 2022
Is there anyway to check on the status of the order once you have the order number? It has been well over the time stated that the tests would be mailed and I have not received confirmation that they were sent.
Becky
January 24, 2022
I’m a college student who lives with three other people. We are unable to order because one of our roommates already ordered one.
Lave Patel
January 24, 2022
When I order test kit online it give me message that I had already order the test kit but I had not ordered
Teresa
January 24, 2022
This offer is useless. If many Americans addresses show up as a business because.we have an at home business, we are ineligible to receive our free kits. That needs to change. We have an at home business and I have tried to request but our kits but am denied.
Djmamma
January 24, 2022
Can tests be ordered monthly
Kmcgill
January 24, 2022
The site won't accept my address!!
Mguevara
January 24, 2022
I recieved 1 box with 2 test. Are they being mailed separately?
Sherry
January 25, 2022
My daughter order her kits the day after me and got them already.I put the tracking number in to the USPS site and they told me it was not a valid number and it was the the one given to me when I signed up
EOC HD
January 25, 2022
Are we supposed to recieved 4 home kits? Just opened our package and it is 1 box with 2 kits inside. Thanks.
abnewby
January 25, 2022
Why did I receive 1 test not 4
JW
January 25, 2022
My landlord used my address to order his covid test. Now I can't order any. What is my recourse?
Barbaralm18
January 26, 2022
We received the test kits but the solution packet is missing. We opened two boxes with the same result.
Mrs Lee
January 26, 2022
After 3 days of USPS tracking site saying that the package is being delivered. I get an email this morning stating that the package is being processed to be returned to sender?! So confused.
Brenda
January 26, 2022
Awesome it’s painless great job w ordering a test kit. Hat’s off!!
Max
January 26, 2022
USPS can’t find the fourth floor of my apartments, ie my apartment number. I tried multiple different ways , from including apartment name to combining two word street name to no avail?
Becky
January 26, 2022
I ordered test kits on 1/19 the same day my daughter and father ordered theirs and they already received theirs. I haven’t even received a tracking number yet.
Blondie09
January 27, 2022
I only got 2 kits, how do I get my other 2?
BigBob
January 27, 2022
Can we cancel the order for the tests?
BBCapps
January 27, 2022
Order mine on January 18th, but nothing at this time. Wonder when they will shipped. Only got a Order #, but not able to do anything with that #.
Jane jor
January 28, 2022
I ordered kits to my home address over 12 days ago and they said that they were delivered but I never received them. Can I track them?
Boise
January 28, 2022
I ordered my tests online. I also ordered for a family member who doesn't use a computer at a completely different address. She got her kits but I did not. Should I be concerned?
Robert
January 28, 2022
What happens after 12 days and you have not received your Test Kits or received confirmation that it has been shipped? Can we reorder?
Aviator52
January 29, 2022
I ordered our tests and only received 2. Will the remaining 2 be sent separately? Thanks….
Michael S
January 29, 2022
Is there any way we can check the status of our order? We ordered on 18JAN, received the confirmation email but nothing else since then.
Mark1976
January 29, 2022
I didn't receive a confirmation email. Now what do I do?
SoFar
January 30, 2022
Like millions of citizens, I also use a USPS PO Box for ALL of my mail. The address was not considered legitimate — by USPS — for the purpose of receiving these free Tests.
MsBnAIG
January 31, 2022
I placed an order on Jan 18 and still have not received my tests. Please advise on what I should do.
Mums
January 31, 2022
What if you share an address with someone? Is there a way to get additional kits?
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