Church in Phoenix Arizona guilty of COVID-19 Scam. Outrages claims they have cured the coronavirus
Phoenix Attorney General Mark Brnovich has issued a cease-and-desist letter to Glendale-based Clean Air EXP demanding the company stop advertising air purification systems by suggesting the systems neutralize COVID-19.
The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) alleges that Clean Air EXP has advertised and continues to advertise that its air filtration products neutralize 99.9% of viruses that are “COVID-19 surrogates.” Moreover, previous representations made by Clean Air EXP under the heading “COVID-19 REPORT” on the company’s website suggested that its filtration systems would neutralize 99.9% of “coronavirus,” when in fact this was based on testing of coronavirus 229E, a virus which causes the common cold.
The AGO letter states that these representations imply that Clean Air EXP’s products can prevent COVID-19 transmission and infection. The AGO is aware of no scientific research or public health authority certifying any kind of air treatment product as a means of preventing COVID-19 infections.
“Businesses cannot mislead consumers with their advertising, especially when it comes to health issues as serious as COVID-19,” said Attorney General Brnovich. “We will not tolerate companies or individuals attempting to deceive or exploit the public during this public health crisis.”
In addition, a similar warning letter was sent to the Phoenix-based Dream City Church regarding public representations it made regarding an air filtration system the church purchased from Clean Air EXP. In particular, Dream City stated that the filtration system “kills 99 percent of COVID within 10 minutes” and that “when you come into [the church’s] auditorium, 99 percent of COVID is gone. So you can know when you come down here, you’ll be safe and protected.” Because Dream City rents its facility for public events not related to church functions, the church was placed on notice that misrepresentations and false promises related to the safety of church facilities may violate the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act.
A copy of the letter sent to Clean Air EXP.
A copy of the letter sent to Dream City Church.
The AGO maintains an up-to-date COVID-19 webpage dedicated to providing consumers with the latest information on coronavirus-related scams and frauds.
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