NEW:

In response to NPR's reporting, a California company that was selling purported "at-home" COVID-19 test kits is facing official inquiries from the @CityAttorneyLA and @CongressmanRaja & @RepKatiePorter of the House Oversight Committee. https://www.npr.org/2020/04/02/824437247/exclusive-california-company-under-scrutiny-for-at-home-coronavirus-test-claims?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_term=nprnews&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr

The company, Wellness Matrix Group, had been selling an "at-home kit" for testing for COVID-19. Just $49.95.

They also claimed the kit was "FDA Approved."

The FDA told me, repeatedly, it has not approved any test kits for at-home use.

I spoke to more than a half-dozen people who bought the test kits.

One was pregnant, and worried about her exposure.

Another wanted a test, so he could safely visit his sick mother.

Another thought she had symptoms of COVID-19.

They were all terrified about lack of testing.

Of the customers I spoke to, none ever received a test kit in the mail - now, more than 10 days after ordering.

Several believe they were scammed.

"It feels really so morally corrupt that anybody would take advantage of people at this time," says Chelsey Goodan.

Last week, I tracked down and interviewed the company's VP of marketing, David Saltrelli.

He assured me the company had indeed obtained FDA approval for an at-home test. But when I asked for evidence to back up that claim, he was unable to provide it.

Over the course of several days, the company's website evolved, removing certain language about the "at-home kit" and claims about being "FDA Approved."

I tracked all of those changes here:
http://archive.is/https://www.stopcorona28.com

At one point, I called the main phone number for Wellness Matrix Group.

The person that answered the phone called me a "dirty reporter" and hung up after I started asking questions.

Two figures associated with Wellness Matrix Group were previously sued by federal regulators.

Saltrelli, the VP of Marketing, was sued by the Federal Trade Commission.

The other figure, George Todt, was sued by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Finally, after several days of questions from me, the company appeared to stop selling test kits.

They put up a statement on their website claiming they never intended to sell test kits for at-home use, and claimed to offer an "immediate refund" for customers who wanted one.

I am in touch with customers seeking refunds and will report back what I hear.

If you or anyone you know bought a test kit from http://StopCorona28.com  (which is now down), or any other site selling "at-home" Coronavirus tests, please let me know.

My DMs are open, email in bio.