Similar to Halloween stores, they have popped up everywhere. COVID testing sites can be found inside a convenience store, an empty store front or an old gas station parking lot.
While many people have used the pop-up sites with success, others have not, including David Hellman’s wife.
“As soon as she got there they said it will be 70 dollars, knowing that was inappropriate and a sign it was a bogus pop up she left,” Hillman.
Charging money, not returning test results, unmasked employees or asking for driver’s licenses or socials security numbers are situations the Better Business Bureau has been hearing about from consumers.
“If someone is asking for personal information, credit card information or asking you to pay that might be a tip off to the rip off,” said Steve Bernas, Better Business Bureau of Chicago & Northern IL.
On Monday, Governor JB Pritzker called some of the sites “fly-by-night” operations. He has directed the Illinois Attorney General’s office to investigate.
“We intend to make sure those operations are no longer doing to customers and patients what they have been doing.”
The governor is urging people to use the free community-based testing sites approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health. The list can be found on the IDPH website.
But, for many Illinois residents…
