Federal Trade Commission

01/20/2022 | News release | Distributed by Public on 01/21/2022 00:39

It’s official: Get free COVID test kits at COVIDtests.gov

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January 20, 2022
by
Colleen Tressler
Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC

There's a new federal resource to get free FDA-authorized coronavirus test kits. At COVIDtests.gov, you'll find information about testing and a link to the U.S. Postal Service - special.usps.com/testkits - where you can order up to four rapid tests to be sent to your home address. Or order your kits by calling 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489). Your kits will be mailed through the U.S. Postal Service within 7 to 12 days.

The tests are completely free. There are no shipping costs, and you don't have to give a credit card or bank account number. You only need to give a name and address. Once you place an order, you'll get an order confirmation number. If you give your email address, you'll also get an order confirmation email and delivery updates. Anyone who asks for more information than that is a scammer. So, remember:

  • Go toCOVIDtests.gov or call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489)to order your free COVID test kits from the federal government. Online, if you click to order, you'll be redirected to special.usps.com/testkits. If you follow a link from a news story, double-check the URL that shows in your browser's address bar.
  • No one will call, text, or email you from the federal government to ask for your information to "help" you order free kits. Only a scammer will contact you, asking for information like your credit card, bank account, or Social Security number. Do not respond. Instead, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

[Link]

Please share this information with others and stay connected to stay informed. Subscribe to consumer alerts from the FTC to get updates delivered right to your email inbox.

If you spot a scammer offering COVID test kits, tell the FTC about it right away at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Or, file a complaint with your state or territory attorney general at consumerresources.org, the consumer website of the National Association of Attorneys General. Your reports can make a difference by helping us investigate, bring law enforcement cases, and alert people about what frauds to be on the lookout for so they can protect themselves, their friends, and family.

Note: This blog, originally posted on January 19, 2022, has been updated to include the toll-free telephone numbers to order test kits.

Blog Topics:
Health & Fitness
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Comments

evergreen3| January 19, 2022
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In order to travel overseas, a PCR test is required. Is it possible to get those test kits, instead of the antigen test?

Mike W| January 19, 2022
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Cant order the test kits, says they have already been ordered for this address. There are 20 different number units here. Something isnt working right, should have expected that.

FTC Staff| January 20, 2022
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The order form has a space for you to enter your Apartment or Suite number.

Deb| January 20, 2022
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Using the space for apt etc still doesn't work.

Kathie Merrill| January 19, 2022
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I tried to order the tests, but it came back and said that someone had already used my address to order the tests. I am the only adult at this address. How can I get tests when I can't order them because it states I already have, or is this a BIG BIG bug in your ordering process?

Mar | January 19, 2022
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Do we fill out form every month or do we automatically get 4 kits monthly?

ConcernedCitizen| January 19, 2022
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I started to order these tests, but then I read the Privacy Act Statement below and became confused and concerned. Why do I need to agree to a laundry list of government lingo that I don't understand? These are NOT FREE if you have to relinquish your rights to this many government agencies for the rest of your life? Please explain how accepting a FREE PRODUCT can be used to provide information "to agencies and entities to facilitate or resolve financial transactions????? This seems extremely obscure. special.usps.com • Privacy Act Statement
Your information will be used to provide COVID-19 Testing Kits to the address you provided, and to provide company and product fulfillment information about that testing kit to a federal executive agency. Collection is authorized by 39 U.S.C. 401, 403, 404, and 411. Supplying your information is voluntary, but if not provided, we may not be able to fulfill your request for a COVID-19 Testing Kit. We do not disclose your information to third parties without your consent, except to act on your behalf or request, or as legally required. This includes the following limited circumstances: to a congressional office on your
behalf; to agencies and entities to facilitate or resolve financial transactions; to a U.S. Postal Service auditor; for law enforcement purposes, to labor organizations as required by applicable law; incident to legal proceedings involving the Postal Service; to government agencies in connection with decisions as necessary; to agents or contractors when necessary to fulfill a business function or provide products and services to customers; for customer service purposes; and to other federal executive agencies pursuant to 39 U.S.C § 411. For more information regarding our privacy policies visit www.usps.com/privacypolicy.

Michles| January 19, 2022
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What is the phone number to call since I can't get it sent to my apartment

RCinNJ| January 19, 2022
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I live in a multi-family house with two apartments. My neighbors ordered tests (using their apartment number) and now I get a message that the address was used. My building only has two apartments, but this makes me wonder if the website is set up so only one family in an entire apartment building can order a kit? How can I correct this. There is nowhere on the site to report a problem or error.

JohnBell36| January 19, 2022
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I used your order program for Covid-19 tests and find it easy to use. You should have a reordering system setup so I can order more after using these four test kits

Raingirl| January 20, 2022
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Are these tests per person or per household?

FTC Staff| January 20, 2022
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Go to special.usps.com/testkits to order up to four rapid tests to be sent to your home address. The limit is one order per residential address.

mohammad| January 20, 2022
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How do I get one for free?

susan j schult| January 20, 2022
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would like the free home test kit

Don't use your ...| January 20, 2022
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Where I live there are different buildings ...I cant seem to get myself covit test because of my room mate.we aren't friends we are neighbors...

Dmbondo| January 20, 2022
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We need a phone number to call and place an order. Thank you.

Lorraine531 | January 20, 2022
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My grandson ordered the covid test and used my address. Now what can i do. I want some for me and my husband.

COVID questions| January 20, 2022
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Hello what if there is two family living in the same address home ??

Ellie WDon't us...| January 20, 2022
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Having problem with ordering keeps saying someone has already ordered for this address. I live in a single family home and no one else in household has ordered. What do I do now?????

Jennifer| January 20, 2022
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How do I get more than 4 tests

FTC Staff| January 20, 2022
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A household in the U.S. can order a set of four free at-home tests. The limit is one set of tests for each residential address. Go to special.usps.com/testkits to order the tests.

Islandgurl62| January 20, 2022
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Put address , in and Lot# to our RV in Park...still can't order tests for our home!

eam72357| January 20, 2022
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Why does it keep saying tests have already been ordered for this address when they have not? It's so frustrating

AE| January 20, 2022
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Repeated multiple times to order . 5 units with same address but different unit address form obviously does not recognize different unit apt . Number same issue with phone call Says address already is registered address is apartment number is not

Petef1958| January 20, 2022
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The place that really needs these kits are college students yet my daughter cannot order one since her college add is considered a business address. I guess I found the major flaw in this program.

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