Some fraudsters reach out directly to consumers and government entities through email or social media to push their products, meaning consumers should be wary if someone contacts them about PPE products directly.
PPE scam red flags
According to Attorney General Paxton red flags that a seller may be engaging in a scam include:
- Unusual payment terms
- Last-minute price changes
- Last-minute excuses for delay in shipment
- Unexplained source of a large quantity of material
- Evidence of repackaging or mislabeling
Texans who believe they have encountered scams or price gouging can call the Office of the Attorney General’s toll-free complaint line at (800) 621-0508 or file a complaint online.
For additional information on disaster scams, Texans can visit the disaster scams website.
More information on unapproved or counterfeit PPE can also be found on the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (CDC/NIOSH).
