Kentucky warns of fake coronavirus testing sites: reports

Kentucky officials are warning residents of fake coronavirus testing sites in the Louisville area, according to the Louisville Courier Journal.

Medical marketing companies offering coronavirus tests, including one that promises results in 24 hours, have charged people up to $250 per test.

Stop. Drop. Don’t open up #COVID19 testing shop. Some from the community went ‘Woah’ as ‘medical professionals’ opened in parking lot of Shorty’s Food Mart. https://t.co/Mur7NT82d3 pic.twitter.com/uYaIMq9FGs

— Matt Stone (@mattstonephotog) April 1, 2020

“It’s a scam,” Metro Council President David James told local broadcaster WDRB. “They would test somebody and use the same gloves they used on the person before. They get your $240 dollars plus they can turn in fake Medicaid claims.”

According to the Courier Journal, Kentucky health officials are requiring all coronavirus testing sites to work with the state. After learning they were not compliant with city and state regulations, one church that was hosting a testing station in their parking lot told them not to return.

Kentucky is not the only state to deal with false testing.

Last week, Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill (R) issued a warning against fraudulent tests in his state as well.

Both the Federal Trade Commission and the Food and Drug Administration have issued warnings of fraudulent tests, treatments and vaccines for the virus. 

The IRS has also issued warnings about possible financial scams.