Fake and unregulated weight loss products could endanger your health: Internet Scambusters #1,113
As many as half of all Americans want to be slim, and there’s no shortage of scammers who say they can help with your weight loss.
But their products not only may not work, they could also put your health at risk.
In this week’s issue, we’ll explain the most common weight loss scams and show you some of the red flags to look out for.
Let's get started…
7 Weight Loss Scams and How to Avoid Them
Want to lose weight? If so, you’re one of about half of all Americans who do. That’s a heck of a lot – and scammers know it.
Now that we’re in a new era of seemingly effective weight loss drugs, like Ozempic and Wegovy, hundreds of diet meal programs and drinks and wearables, the opportunities to rip us off are unbounded. The crooks are cashing in to the tune of millions of dollars.
So, if you plan to try to lose weight, it’s important to know about the scores of fake slimming pills and diet programs that look too good to be true – because they are.
7 Common Weight Loss Scams
Some people who want to lose weight are so desperate, they’re easily fooled by the make-believe claims that accompany some ads and promotions. Here are 7 of the most common scams:
- Fake Ozempic: Slimmed-down celebrities have turned this diabetes management drug into a star for those who want to lose weight. So, how easy could it be for a scammer to use the name to trick people into buying their version? The trouble is fake versions, often advertised online, are unregulated and may or may not use the correct ingredients. And they could be downright dangerous.
- Other fake weight loss pills: Even without the “Ozempic” name, fraudsters sell all types of supposed weight loss drugs that just don’t work and, again, could be dangerous. Usually, they tag a few seductive words like “miracle,” “guaranteed,” and “fast” to the descriptions and promise you don’t need to diet or exercise. None of this is true.
- Shakes and electrolyte boosting drinks: Fraudsters add sugar and skip the essential nutrients in meal replacement shakes, while “electrolyte-balancing” drinks sometimes use high levels of sodium and sugar.
- Fad diets: This is one of those gray areas often promoted on social media. They often involve restrictions on certain foods and over-consumption of others. They can be dangerous without the right medical advice.
- Home meal kits: Since the pandemic, millions of people have switched to having pre-cooked meals delivered to their homes. There may be nothing wrong with that, but some of the claims made by certain sellers, often backed by dubious testimonials, are frankly outrageous.
- Detox teas and cleanses: Sometimes, these simply use laxatives or diuretics for water weight loss. In this case, there may be a short-term reduction in weight but it likely won’t last.
- Body wraps and waist trainers: They claim to reduce fat cells and tone muscles, but scam versions just use non-breathable materials that may make you sweat. Hey, presto! You lose weight – but only till tomorrow. And they can irritate your skin.
Don’t Get Scammed Trying to Lose Weight
We’re not here to say whether any or all of the genuine weight loss programs and products actually work or, indeed, whether they’re right for you. You should talk to a health professional about that.
But nearly all of them can turn out to be expensive. So, make sure you truly know what you’re buying. Here’s how:
- Watch out for those magic words like “miracle,” etc. They’re a big red flag.
- Do your research, checking for unbiased reviews and scientific evidence.
- Beware of celebrity endorsements. Often they’re fake too!
- Same goes for testimonials from supposedly satisfied customers. Some may be genuine but the more over-the-top they are, and the more dramatic accompanying photos are, the more likely a scam.
- Check the label – look for added sugar and sodium and other ingredients you know nothing about.
- Don’t be taken in by official logos for government agencies, manufacturers, and news organizations on ads and endorsements. Anyone can steal and use them.
- Watch out for “free trial” and money-back offers. You could be signing up for recurring subscriptions that you may find difficult to cancel. Same with refund promises.
Experience tells us that healthy weight loss is usually only sustainable either through surgery or a change in lifestyle, though new drugs may seem to offer an easier route.
However, according to Dr. Al Carter, executive director of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (per ABC News): “There are around 30 to 35,000 pharmacies that are acting illegally. Our Digital Health team finds, on any given day, around 20 pharmacies, new pharmacies that are operating illegally.”
That gives some idea of the scale of potential scams threatening people trying to lose weight in the US today. Make sure you’re not of the victims. Your wallet and your health could be at risk.
This Week’s Alerts
Mexico timeshares: If you own a timeshare in Mexico and want to offload it, beware of who you work with. According to the FBI, Mexican cartels, posing as legitimate businesses, are muscling in on this activity, promising to sell your timeshare for a big profit. They demand a flat fee upfront and then keep on asking for more, using threats and sometimes violence. Some Americans have apparently lost their entire life savings, while the cartels are estimated to be netting $40 million a year.
Don’t Ask: Using your voice rather than your eyes to find a phone number could lead to trouble, the Better Business Bureau warns. We’ve advised several times that scammers often manage to maneuver to the top of online search pages with fake numbers and links to sites like retailers and customer support services. At least you might be able to spot the trick, but if you just ask your PC or mobile device to find a number and connect, you’ve no way of knowing if it’s the right one.
That's it for today -- we hope you enjoy your week!