Warning over scammers offering bogus COVID-19 tests and fake ‘COVID free’ certificates in Warwickshire

Warwickshire Trading Standards is currently investigating a case in which a consumer may have unwittingly paid over £100 to fraudsters for a ‘quick-turn-around’ COVID-19 test and received a fake ‘all-clear’ certificate in return
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People are being warned to watch out for scammers offering bogus COVID-19 tests and fake ‘COVID free’ certificates in Warwickshire.

Warwickshire Trading Standards is currently investigating a case in which a consumer may have unwittingly paid over £100 to fraudsters for a ‘quick-turn-around’ COVID-19 test and received a fake ‘all-clear’ certificate in return.

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The genuine laboratory named on the certificate has confirmed that it was previously unaware of the ‘testing firm’, did not carry out the test or issue any certificate.

Warwickshire Trading Standards is currently investigating a case in which a consumer may have unwittingly paid over £100 to fraudsters for a ‘quick-turn-around’ COVID-19 test and received a fake ‘all-clear’ certificate in return.Warwickshire Trading Standards is currently investigating a case in which a consumer may have unwittingly paid over £100 to fraudsters for a ‘quick-turn-around’ COVID-19 test and received a fake ‘all-clear’ certificate in return.
Warwickshire Trading Standards is currently investigating a case in which a consumer may have unwittingly paid over £100 to fraudsters for a ‘quick-turn-around’ COVID-19 test and received a fake ‘all-clear’ certificate in return.

The ‘quick-turn-around’ tests were being advertised on social media, targeted at individuals who do not have symptoms, but require proof of a negative test result, for example before embarking on a flight or for work purposes. Consumers requiring private tests normally have to pay for them, at a cost of around £150.

Warwickshire County Councillor Andy Crump, portfolio holder for community safety said: “I would urge anyone seeking a private test to look for legitimate companies. Visit the Government’s list of private providers and follow their guidance.”

Help to find a legitimate private provider

The Government maintains updated lists of private providers of coronavirus testing. These providers have declared that they meet the government’s minimum standards. The lists are continually updated by the Department of Health and Social Care and are reviewed by UKAS, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/list-of-private-providers-of-coronavirus-testing/list-of-private-providers-of-coronavirus-testing

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There is more COVID-19 help and support available from Warwickshire County Council here: https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/coronavirusvulnerable or phone 0800 408 1447.

To report a scam or fraud to Trading Standards and receive advice, contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133 or visit: https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/consumeradviceFor information on scams targeted at Warwickshire consumers and businesses and to sign up to our scam email alerts, visit: https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/scams