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Never pay or share your credit card info to get free COVID tests. That's a scam

With the reopening of the federal government program to order no-cost COVID-19 tests, there are more options to get free tests this year.  But how do you know what’s legit and what’s a scam? Read on.

To steer clear of scams, know that there are four ways to get FREE at-home tests:

  1. Visit COVID.gov/tests to order four free rapid tests per residential household. Or call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489) to order. The Postal Service will start shipping them during the week of December 19, 2022.

  1. Get free tests through your health insurance plan. Contact your provider to find an in-network pharmacy where you can get up to eight at-home COVID-19 tests per month. They’ll either be free on the spot or you’ll get fully reimbursed once you submit a claim to your insurance plan.

  1. Get free tests through Medicare. Medicare beneficiaries can receive 8 free tests a month at participating pharmacies. Find a partial list of pharmacies participating in the Medicare COVID-19 Over-the-Counter tests initiative.  

  1. Check community testing sites, libraries, food banks, and schools in your area to see if they’re handing out rapid tests.

Remember: At COVID.gov/tests, there are no shipping costs, and no need to give a credit card number or anything but your home address. (You’ll have the option to share your email if you want updates.) And, as you take stock of what tests you have and what you might need, check to see if the expiration dates of your COVID-19 tests have been extended before you throw them out.

Learn more about the latest COVID-related scam at ftc.gov/coronavirus/scams. And, as ever, if you spot a scam, tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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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.

Kenya
January 11, 2023

Yes but the vaccine you can go to
Walgreens Labcorp any drugstore that offers getting Covid 4 vaccine.

NANCY HAMILTON
January 11, 2023

CAN A COMPANY ORDER THE FREE COVID TESTS?

THANK YOU,
NANCY

Juan Carlos Zambrano
January 11, 2023

Thank you very much for all this valuable information. Muchas gracias por toda esta valiosa informacion

Andrew
January 24, 2023

There should be a notice to people that even though they got 4 free tests a year ago, they can't get anymore now.

Christina
May 09, 2023

In reply to by Andrew

Your crazy!!! The government is offering this service for FREE every household in the United States should have at home tests for their household. As long as I am a tax paying American in the United States the government should be supplying is with the tests one time a year.

Mona
May 01, 2023

In reply to by Andrew

I agree Andrew. I read somewhere the beginning of the year (of course I can't find it ) that Biden had raised the # of free tests citizens could get from 4 to 8. I just tried to get the other 4 and it says I reached my limit. I don't remember ordering more. I wish the sight would show the dates we ordered.

ALLEN R McArdle
May 15, 2023

In reply to by Mona

You are right I recieved only four tests' I just used my last test and it was positive' I asked for more home test kits and they said I can't get anymore at this time. I'm 72 years old and have COPD. And other health problems.

Dane Filander
January 11, 2023

I mind as well be honest. To offer free Covid tests there has to be a catch to actually be eligible to claim free covid tests as I don't trust the government and there free offer!!!!!!

Dawn Getit
January 17, 2023

In reply to by Dane Filander

You have the right to not get the free tests if you don’t trust them.

Eileen Scott
April 13, 2023

In reply to by NANCY A BROERTJES

I currently have 24 boxes of COVID test kits. Is there a way to stop them from arriving? We've only used one test and I am running out of storage space. Plus, it is a shame to keep tests from people who need them when we haven't had to test for sometime. Please advise

Frank P
January 11, 2023

Received December tests but they expire (extended expiration date) in mid March 2023, so only good for about 3.5 months from now. Sounds like they are just trying to get rid of old stock.

Sabrina Duffy
February 23, 2023

In reply to by Frank P

No, actually, they don't expire. Front page of the news this week. They're not going to go to waste. Just get your tests.

Imelda sauceda
January 11, 2023

My entire family came out positive for Covid and I ran out of tests. How can we get some more tests. I have my 88 yr old mother I care for and I don’t want to get her sick. Please send me some more tests please

Mary
January 17, 2023

If you had to use the 4 test and have more that need to be tested at your address what is the procedure to get more! Since this only will cover 4 what happens when more is needed!

Michele Higgins
February 01, 2023

🙏 Thank you

Jane Riddell
February 16, 2023

Hello ftc.gov administrator, Your posts are always well-received and appreciated.

Samuel Kennerley
February 16, 2023

Hello ftc.gov owner, You always provide useful links and resources.

Phyllis
February 17, 2023

Would like free covid testd

Ettagale Blauer
February 22, 2023

I am getting more test than I need. What can I do with them? It is such a waste.

Thelma Henriques
March 07, 2023

I recd COVID tests in the mail that I never ordered, why,?

June
March 22, 2023

How do I stop receiving the free covid tests?

Andrew Olins
April 10, 2023

In reply to by June

I keep getting calls about free test kits. I don't want or need any more kits. I just want to opt out of the program.

Noreen
April 05, 2023

Who needs 8 covid tests per month? At this point it is like testing for a cold-not the original covid variant. I received 8 tests from a pharmacy because Medicare pays for it. I did not request; nor would I have as it is waste of my taxpayer money. I reported the company to the FTC and Medicare. It is like these companies are sending out test kits so they can bill Medicare to people who never requested them. FRAUD

Michele Roach
April 13, 2023

I received my 2 free boxes of Binax now tests a few months ago and just opened one to use them. The box had no swabs, only cards and liquid so it was useless and I had to use the other box therefore I only had 2 tests, not 4. Thank you

Richard haugland
May 03, 2023

All I want is people tom quit calling me about civcid test kits . we get them from 2 different site nonen nsaysnmeicare parts a & b The other one is desease prevention . They have both become harrassment when you ask to be removed they hangup

avenue17
May 09, 2023

Very amusing opinion

Patricia Garcia
May 09, 2023

How long to get them in the mail

Carol Beauregard
May 24, 2023

I am getting Covid test kits which I do not want
Company is MG,LLC out of New Jersey
They were notified 4/24/23 that I do not want these
How do I stop it?