The California Department of Social Services is warning people about a fake letter circulating online that claims recipients of state government assistant programs could lose benefits if they didn't submit to mandatory COVID-19 testing.
The letter also claims that if parents test positive, their kids will be taken into foster care and directs them to a benefits website that is fake.
The CDSS says the letter appears to be signed by Mark Ghaley M.D., MPH, who is the current secretary for California’s Health & Human Services Agency, but is also faked.
The department is asking anyone with information on the origin of the letter or anyone with questions regarding the contents of the letter to contact CDSS at (916) 651-8848 or piar@dss.ca.gov.