Health + Beauty

Avoiding Health, Fitness and Beauty Scams

Lose weight fast with a miracle pill? Look 20 years younger with a magic cream? Live longer and be smarter with a secret formula supplement? Americans spend billions of dollars every year on supplements, foods, pills, creams and devices in hopes of taking an easy shortcut towards improving their health, fitness, looks and more.

But very few of these miracle cures and secret recipes live up to their big advertising claims. They simply don’t help people lose weight, combat disease, or improve cognitive abilities – and this type of deceptive advertising is on the rise as more and more of us turn to self-medication thanks to rising healthcare costs.

False advertising is one thing, but many products go so far as to make unsubstantiated medical claims – something that isn’t just illegal but can endanger consumers.

Other products which can legally go to market without any FDA approval are later found to contain dangerous chemicals and poisons, putting innocent consumer’s health – and lives – in jeopardy.

From unsafe imported equipment to counterfeit drugs and supplements – the Internet and cheap advertising has put all of us in reach of the health and beauty scammers.

After all the temptation of a quick fix backed up by realistic looking claims can be irresistible.

The FTC and the Food and Drug Administration have filed over one hundred and twenty cases challenging health claims made for supplements alone, warning “In recent years there has been a trend in food advertising toward making unproven claims that eating certain foods can improve health and even reduce the risk of serious illnesses such as prostate cancer and heart disease.”

The fact is the law states that companies must support their advertising claims with solid proof. This is especially true for businesses that market food, over-the-counter drugs, dietary supplements, contact lenses, and other health-related products.

All companies – including marketers of dietary supplements – must comply with truth-in-advertising standards.

But many don’t – and will continue to skirt the law when the profits can be so great.

So how can you protect yourself when buying health, fitness and beauty products?

• Only use legitimate and trusted companies or services, such as those we list above.
• Promises of miracle cures, no-effort weight loss or any other big claims of health and fitness shortcuts should make you very suspicious.
• Check that the product complies with the FTC’s health and fitness claims or advertising guides. If not, walk away.
• Check a company’s credentials at the BBB and with your local Chamber of Commerce if they are in-state.
• Read online reviews – is there a pattern of complaints with the company or service concerned?

Remember, no magic pill, cream or lotion can take the place of a healthy balanced diet, good hydration and regular moderate exercise.

Example Cases
FTC-FDA warning letters target treatment claims for Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other serious diseases
Endorsement enforcement: Deceptive diabetes claims challenged
The Younger Games? FTC challenges anti-aging claims as unsubstantiated
Ad agency to pay $2 million for role in deceptive weight loss and “free” offers
FTC, FDA warn sellers of questionable opioid treatment products