Nashville, TN., April 16, 2020 – Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Middle TN and Southern KY warning about a new way con artists may try to take advantage of COVID-19. First, it was
fake masks, then
fake government grants, and now BBB’s have seen fake COVID-19 test pop ups.
“We have only gotten reports of fake websites and text messages promising tests for individuals here,” says Robyn Householder, President and CEO, BBB Middle TN and Southern KY. “However, in Louisville, city officials found a string of fake drive through testing sites operating. We, along with law enforcement agencies, are on high alert for similar scams in our region.”
BBB experts say that there is potential for similar operations to appear in Tennessee. With the recent announcement by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, offering free drive-through testing for COVID-19 to any Tennessean, BBB is now on high alert for fake drive through testing.
“Do not hesitate to get tested this weekend if you feel sick. However, this is free, and if someone says you have to pay, contact your local law enforcement immediately,” says Householder.
BBB recommends everyone double-check with the
TN Department of Health website and your trusted local news provider before going to a testing site.
Tips to Spot a COVID-19 Testing Scam:
- The Tennessee Drive-Through Test is Free. The Tennessee Department of Health drive through testing, and any state testing site is free. It is a giant red flag if anyone asks for you to pay for this testing.
- Government agencies do not typically communicate through text messages.
- If you think your text message is real, be sure it’s directing to a web address like “agency.gov” or “agency.ca,” not “agency.otherwebsite.com.”
- Check for look-alikes. Be sure to do your research and see if a government agency or organization actually exists. Find contact info on your own and call them to be sure the person you’ve heard from is legitimate.
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About BBB of Middle Tennessee
For more than 100 years, Better Business Bureau has been helping people find businesses, brands and charities they can trust. In 2019, people turned to BBB more than 160 million times for BBB Business Profiles on more than 5.2 million businesses and Charity Reports on 11,000 charities, all available for free at
bbb.org. There are local, independent BBBs across the United States, Canada and Mexico, including BBB Serving Middle TN and Southern KY, which was founded in 1961 and serves 45 counties in Middle TN and Southern KY. Visit
bbb.org for more information.
