A Message from HHS OIG Leadership on COVID-19 Fraud

March 23, 2020

Greetings,

Our organization's top priority is to protect the public and the health and well-being of HHS program beneficiaries - and this duty has never been more important as we all confront the COVID-19 pandemic. While many Americans are nobly rising to the occasion, sadly, some bad actors are preying on people's fears for profit, perpetrating fraud schemes, including marketing fake COVID-19 test kits and unapproved treatments through telemarketing calls, social media platforms, and door-to-door visits.

Today, we are releasing a COVID-19 Fraud Alert to warn about several health care fraud scams that harm patients and the federal programs designed to serve them. This alert has general information about these schemes and how to protect yourself and your community against bad actors.

During the pandemic, it is especially critical that Americans have access to medical care and that patients who need medical attention contact their provider to determine the best and safest way to get care.

OIG is alerting the public to these fraud schemes so that patients and families -from their own homes - can take steps to ensure they are receiving legitimate medical care and protect themselves. We will not tolerate these scams in which fraudsters try to enrich themselves by preying on unsuspecting patients to steal personal and medical identity information. With our law enforcement partners, we will be vigilant in our investigation and enforcement against those who exploit this emergency.

We remain committed to protecting the millions of beneficiaries across the country and supporting the dedicated health care professionals who are working so hard to serve the public during this pandemic.

Christi A. Grimm, Principal Deputy Inspector General