LOS ANGELES (KNX) — The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion on Tuesday to crack down on fraudulent COVID-19 testing operations following reports of “suspicious” pop-up sites.
According to the office of Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who introduced the motion, residents have reported going to what they believed were legitimate testing sites, handing over personal information, only to never receive a result back.
“This perfect storm has left our residents desperately searching for much needed tests,” Barger said during a board meeting Tuesday. “Unfortunately, this has led to some taking advantage of the situation by distributing and setting up fraudulent COVID-19 tests and testing sites.”
Likewise, the county’s Department of Consumer and Business Affairs said it had received several reports from concerned locals regarding “suspicious-looking pop-up testing sites.”
Barger said constituents have raised concerns about possible identity theft by illegitimate testing operations. Officials have subsequently warned that no one should provide their Social Security Number in order to receive a test.
“Like with any other purchase or contract, it’s best to stick to the institutions or companies you know and trust when choosing to get a COVID-19 test,” Department of Consumer and Business Affairs spokesperson Jethro Rothe-Kushel told KTLA. “If a so-called testing site appears in an unusual setting or acts in an unprofessional manner, beware of possible fraud.”
Helen Chavez, communications deputy for Barger’s office, told KNX the motion present a two-pronged approach to combating the problem. The first prong is based in education, “teaching residents what to look for, to identify and avoid fraudulent COVID testing sites,” she said.
The second will require collaboration with a number of county stakeholders, including the Sheriff’s Department, to develop a strategy for enforcement. The plan will come together in the next few weeks.
County officials have directed residents to use its online directory of providers to find legitimate testing locations. County-approved sites provide testing regardless of insurance or immigration status and do not require any out-of-pocket costs.
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