Everyone wants good health, and many go to great lengths to try to achieve it. Unfortunately, scammers take advantage of this natural human desire to be healthier. They know that when it comes to health, people are often willing to try anything. That’s what makes health scams so dangerous. Not only could you be losing money, but you could be putting your health at serious risk.
What are health scams?
The FDA defines health scams as deceptive promotions, ads, distribution, or sales of a product represented as being effective to prevent, diagnose, treat, cure or lessen an illness or condition, or provide another beneficial effect on health, but that has not been scientifically proven safe and effective for such purposes. These scams often rely on flashy ads, fake testimonials, and promises that sound too good to be true. Know the warning signs of health scams so you don’t fall victim.
How to protect yourself:
- Talk to a professional. Always consult your doctor before trying new products or treatments.
- Watch for red flag words. Terms like “miracle,” “secret,” “ancient,” or “quick fix” are warning signs of health scams.
- Don’t believe the testimonials. When it comes to health products, even celebrity endorsements can be misleading. Don’t put much stock into testimonials – many worthless products have been sold by using deceptive testimonials.
- Be wary of “all-natural” claims. Some products hide unsafe or untested ingredients. Even some plants in nature can be dangerous if consumed.
- Don’t fall for conspiracy theories. One tactic scammers use when shilling fraudulent health products is to claim they are victims of some greater conspiracy plan to “suppress” their cure.
- Question “money-back guarantees.” Many scammers never refund payments, despite claiming that they will. It’s just another tactic to get you to cough up your money.
Remember, prevention is often the best medicine. Keep these tips top of mind next time you come across a suspicious health-related product. When it comes to your health, always talk to your doctor for trusted medical advice – and when it comes to your money, you can always count on GCSB.