Beware: Diet & Weight-Loss Scams

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Almost 50% of people in the US say they are trying to lose weight, and that number is likely to rise given the pandemic. Unfortunately, scammers are aware of this and they will try to take advantage for their own financial gain. Did you know that diet scams are the most common types of health care fraud reported to the FTC?

Here's how they work:

• Scammers feature products on websites that appear to be affiliated with legitimate news sites and some products have fake celebrity endorsements.
• Many products promise breakthrough or miracle results - often in just a few days or weeks.
• They may promise weight loss regardless of what you eat.

What you should know:

• These products usually lure people in with free trials. You may find yourself with an expensive subscription after the free trial period ends.
• It can be very difficult to cancel these plans and even harder to seek refunds.
• Some products contain banned substances. Be aware of the ingredients.

What you should do:

• Before buying any weight-loss product, aks a trusted medical professional to help you determine if it's safe and effective.
• Check out the company on the Better Business Bureau database.
• If you sign up for a free trial, read the terms and conditions closely. Make sure you are not signing up for an expensive subscription.

Being vigilant is our best defense against fraud! You have the power to protect yourself and your loved ones from scams. Please share this information with friends and family and visit the Fraud Watch Network.