NY AG warns against price gouging, 'misrepresenting' COVID test turnaround time
ABC News
The New York Attorney General's office warned against misrepresenting Covid test turnaround time and at-home test price gouging as cases continue to surge.
With COVID-19 cases in New York state reaching all-time highs, demand for testing has increased as well, bringing with it concerns of price gouging and falsely advertised turnaround times.
New York Attorney General Letitia James' office issued an alert Tuesday asking consumers to report any potential price gouging of at-home testing kits after the office received some reports of testing kits being sold for double or triple their retail price.
The office said it has received reports of BinaxNOW brand tests being "unlawfully" sold for between $40 to $70 per package, when the tests typically cost between $14 to $24 at stores such as Walgreens.
"As New York sees an exponential rise in COVID-19 cases, more and more New Yorkers are looking for at-home tests and other tools in the fight against the coronavirus," James said in a statement. "If New Yorkers see exorbitant price increases on testing kits or other goods vital and necessary for health, safety and welfare, they are encouraged to report it [to] my office immediately. And fraudsters are on notice that if they attempt to price gouge during this new surge, we will not hesitate to take action."
