BBB warns consumers to be skeptical of websites and emails promoting swine flu prevention products. These scams are of particular concern as consumers may be putting their health at risk by taking medicine purchased from sites that don’t require a prescription for prescription-only drugs.
“It’s not surprising that the news coverage regarding the delay in delivery and current low inventory of H1N1 vaccine has inspired scammers to take advantage of the public’s anxiety about the situation,” said BBB President and CEO Jim Hegarty. “At best, these products don’t work. At worst, they’re dangerous. They waste people’s money but, more importantly, they might keep them from getting sound medical treatment.”
Federal agencies have come across contaminated, counterfeit and counterproductive pharmaceutical products, including Tamiflu, a prescription drug used to treat H1N1 patients. What was sold as the generic version of Tamiflu actually contained vitamin C and other substances that cannot treat nor prevent the H1N1 virus.
There are so many advertised flu-prevention and flu-remedy products available online that the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) created a “Fraudulent Products List” on its website. In some cases, the product might be legitimate—such as an air purifier—but the FDA questions the marketing language and promised health benefits used to sell the product. Other products listed include lotions and gels, gloves and masks, herbal extracts, sprays, body washes, inhalers, flu kits, supplements, tea and even a shampoo.
BBB offers some tips to help protect you from swine flu scams:
- Be wary of promotions using words such as “scientific breakthrough,” “miracle cure,” “secret ingredient,” or “ancient remedy.”
- Avoid websites that don’t provide the company’s name, physical address, phone number or other contact information.
- Don’t fall for personal testimonials or claims that a product is a quick, effective way to treat or cure an illness. They may sound convincing, but are not substitutes for scientific proof.
- Follow health advice only from a trusted source, and don’t believe claims of products that will prevent or cure swine flu.
Related resources:
• FDA Fraudulent 2009 H1N1 Influenza Products List
• www.flu.gov
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
For more trustworthy tips and resources to avoid online scams, go to bbb.org.
The Better Business Bureau,Inc.(BBB)has been serving the region for more than 70 years and is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting trust between consumers and the business community. Accountability, education and recognition are key components to the BBB's mission of fostering trust in the marketplace. Today, the BBB has a membership of approximately 7,000 companies in Nebraska, South Dakota and southwest Iowa. Consumers are encouraged to report complaints and possible scams to the BBB. The BBB annually honors organizations and companies that demonstrate exceptional business ethics with the prestigious Integrity Award. As a matter of policy, the BBB does not endorse any product, service or company. For more information, please visit bbb.org and “Start With Trust.”