Senior citizens are victims in coronavirus test scam

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) Senior citizens in the Imperial Valley are falling victim to a scam that claims to conduct coronavirus testing.

Imperial County officials said individuals claiming to be medical workers are targeting senior citizens right at their front door.

Senior housing communities meant to provide an affordable and safe environment for the elderly are now a hot spot for scammers looking to take advantage of seniors during this pandemic.

“They were conducting COVID-19 testing the second time around they said that somebody in the premises was diagnosed with COVID-19 and that everybody needed to get tested and pretty much said that it was mandatory to get tested so these seniors were freaking out and they ended up getting tested," said Karla Flores, Area of Agency ombudsman coordinator.

According to Imperial County’s Area Agency on Aging the scam has been going on for the past two weeks.

Elderly people in El Centro and Calexico have fallen victim.

Many senior’s in one complex were undergoing a fake coronavirus test.

“These individuals are dressed as doctors and are asking medical questions. Due to the course that we are in right now they are pretty much afraid and are going to want to take a test possible especially if it's coming to their own home," said Flores.

The Imperial County Sheriff’s Office has issued a warning to alert the community about the scam.

“That's where the scams come into play. You can open a clinic yourself and you can start charging these insurances. They start charging all these services that they start providing to the seniors," said Flores.

Flores said the individuals taking advantage of the elderly have not been identified but it’s believed to be a group of five people dressed in white plastic medical suits.

The Area Agency on Aging currently serves more than 570 seniors in Imperial County. They said it’s a number that has continued to increase with the pandemic.