Consumer Alert
Free COVID test kits are back: Here’s how to get yours
By
Colleen Tressler, FTC, Division of Consumer and Business Education
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Starting September 25, you can order four free test kits per household through COVIDtests.gov.
The tests will detect the currently circulating COVID-19 variants and are intended for use through the end of 2023. The kits will include instructions on how to verify extended expiration dates. Many kits have had their expiration dates extended beyond what may be printed on the packaging.
You don’t have to pay for shipping, and you’ll never be asked for a credit card or bank account number. You only need to give a name and shipping address. If you’d like an email confirmation and delivery updates from the U.S. Postal Service, you can submit your email address. Anyone who asks for more information than that is a scammer. So, remember:
- Only go to COVIDtests.gov to order your free test kits from the federal government. When you click to order, you’ll be redirected to special.usps.com/testkits. If you’re following 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. Don’t give out your credit card, bank account, or Social Security number. Do not respond. Instead, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
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Consumer Alert
What to do if you’re billed for an SBA EIDL or PPP loan you don’t owe
By
Rosario Méndez
Attorney, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC
Did you get a bill for a Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan or COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) you never applied for? If the answer is yes, an identity thief probably used your personal information to get the loan. Here’s how to report this problem and start the SBA review process to help you clear up any credit problems the identity theft may have caused.
Step 1. Report the identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov.
- You’ll get an FTC Identity Theft report and a personal recovery plan.
- Save a copy of your FTC Identity Theft Report. You’ll need to submit it to the SBA.
- Follow the personal recovery plan to stop further misuse of your personal information and help repair the damage the identity theft caused.
Step 2. Visit the SBA’s website at sba.gov/idtheft.
- Follow the steps there to report the identity theft to the SBA. This step is required to start the SBA review process.
Step 3. If the identity theft involved a PPP loan and you know the private lender that issued the loan, contact the lender, too.
- Explain that an identity thief used your personal information to get the PPP loan without your knowledge or authorization. Tell them the loan is fraudulent.
- Ask the lender to release you from the loan and to take all the steps needed to remove information about the loan from your credit files.
- Ask the lender to send you a letter explaining the actions it’s taken.
- Write down who you spoke with and when. You may need to contact the lender again.
- Know that the lender may require a copy of your FTC Identity Theft Report and other documents. This sample letter can help you get things started.
For questions about COVID-19 EIDL identity theft, contact SBA COVID-19 EIDL Customer Service at 833-853-5638 or by email at IDTRecords@sba.gov.
For questions about PPP loan identity theft, contact the SBA by email at PPPIDTheftInquiries@sba.gov.
Note: This blog, originally posted on March 9, 2021, has been updated with revised steps for reporting identity theft involving SBA loans to the FTC and SBA.
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