Common Health Scams

People spend billions of dollars a year on products and treatments to try to improve their health and fitness. But a lot of that money goes to companies that make false claims, cheating people out of their money, their time, and even their health. If you’re thinking about buying a health product or service, here are some things to know.

Learn To Spot Common Health Scams

Dishonest companies will say anything to get you to buy their product or service. Learning the lies they tell helps you to spot and avoid scams.

• Dishonest companies tell you one product cures lots of different diseases and health problems. It won’t.
• Dishonest companies use fake endorsements from patients or doctors claiming, “you’ll get miraculous results.” You won’t.
• Dishonest companies say you’ll “get results in 30 days or we’ll refund your money.” You won’t get either.
• Dishonest companies say their special product will cure your condition. It won’t.
• Dishonest companies say you have to “act now.” You don’t.  
• Dishonest companies use phony, scientific-sounding terms or refer to prestigious prizes, like the Nobel prize. But don’t take their word for it. Your doctor or health provider is your best and most important source of information on whether a product is safe for you. 

Five Ways To Avoid Health Scams

Companies might try to take advantage of your hope by making guarantees or promises that aren’t true about health products or services. Before you buy a health product or service:

1. Do some research. See what other people are saying. Search for the name of the treatment or product online, plus the words “review,” “complaint,” or “scam.”
2. Ask your doctor first. You might ask about the effectiveness of the treatment, its ingredients, if it’s safe to take (including with your other medications), and how much to take.
3. Know that unproven products and treatments are risky. They can have bad interactions with other treatments. It’s also risky to stop or delay taking proven medical treatments, or to delay making other important changes to help your condition — like changes to your diet or lifestyle.
4. Know that “natural” doesn’t mean safe or effective. In fact, “natural” can mean harmful and ineffective. And some “natural” products might interfere with proven treatments recommended by your doctor.
5. Know that no government agency approves ads before they go public. Federal law says sellers that market cures must have scientific evidence to back up their claims, but dishonest companies might not. Ads must be truthful — not misleading. 

Common Health Scams

Unfortunately, scammers often take advantage of stressful times to steal your money. Here’s what to know about some common health scams.

Addiction Treatments 

Scammers promote fake treatments and unproven products that promise amazing cures or fast results for opioid dependence and withdrawal, but there’s nothing you can buy that has been proven to cure addiction. These products can cost precious time and money, lead to relapse, and could even be dangerous.

Dietary supplements — like herbal blends, vitamins, and minerals — are not scientifically proven to ease withdrawal or to treat opioid dependence. They also are not reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for safety and effectiveness.Kratom and products like it, which some claim can help, are not proven treatments. They can be addictive and dangerous to your health.

If you or someone you know is considering treatment for dependence or withdrawal

• Use the confidential treatment locator operated by the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to find a treatment facility near you
• Call SAMHSA’s national helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) to get live help. This free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) helps people and families facing substance use disorders.

Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia, and Memory Loss

Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and memory loss don’t have a scientific cure. The truth is

• Just because a seller says their products are scientifically proven to work doesn’t mean they’re safe or effective. Many products that say they’ll help with memory loss or dementia are called “dietary supplements” or “natural remedies.” But the FDA doesn’t test these products to make sure they work or they’re safe. Some examples include: ginkgo biloba, fish oil, grape seed extract, curcumin, Asian ginseng, and vitamins B and E. Unproven products can also have bad interactions with other medications or cause you to delay proven medical treatments. Talk to your doctor of other healthcare professional before you try any new treatment.

Anti-Aging Products

Despite claims about pills and treatments leading to the fountain of youth, there’s nothing you can buy that has been proven to slow or reverse the aging process. And many companies selling these lotions, creams, and supplements don’t have sufficient scientific evidence to show they work.

One common anti-aging health scam involves human growth hormone (HGH), a substance released by the pituitary gland that causes children and adolescents to grow. But here’s what to know about HGH: The FDA says there’s no clear evidence to support anti-aging claims for over-the-counter pills and sprays that supposedly contain HGH. The agency has not approved any of these products for anti-aging effects.

Arthritis

Symptoms of arthritis can come and go, so it can be easy to think a “treatment” or supplement is the answer. But there’s no cure for arthritis. In fact, some products could be harmful. No arthritis remedies have adequate scientific evidence that they’ll relieve your symptoms — that includes mussel extract, desiccated liver pills, shark cartilage, CMO (cetylmyristoleate), honey and vinegar mixtures, and gimmicks like magnets and copper bracelets.

For the most up-to-date and reliable information on arthritis treatments and alternative therapies, go to the Arthritis Foundation website or call them at 1-800-283-7800. Or get more information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Cancer

If you or someone you love has cancer, you may be tempted to try supposed cancer-fighting products — like pills, powders, and herbs — that you’ve seen advertised or heard about from family and friends. Maybe you’ve even heard about some foreign clinics offering treatments that aren’t available in the U.S. Whether you’re looking in the U.S. or abroad, know this:

• No single device, remedy, or treatment can treat all types of cancer. All cancers are different and no single treatment works for everybody, or for every cancer. Even two people with the same diagnosis may need different treatments.
• Scammers promote unproven — and potentially dangerous — substances like teas, salves, and pills containing ingredients that can be toxic. Don’t use them.
• If you or someone you know has cancer and is interested in experimental treatments, talk with your doctor about joining a clinical study. Know that taking part in a clinical trial can have both benefits and risks.

For more information about cancer treatments, visit the American Cancer Society or call the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237). To get free publications on cancer research and treatment, or to learn about clinical trials, visit cancer.gov. Decide on treatments with your doctor, who knows the science and your treatment needs.

Chronic Pain

Chronic pain has many causes, including injuries, illness, and prolonged physical or emotional stress. Some companies market products and devices by claiming they treat chronic pain throughout the body, but without the scientific evidence to back up their claims. Some also claim they’re clinically proven and cleared by the FDA, but they’re not (or they don’t work as advertised, anyway). If you or someone you know has chronic pain and is thinking about using a product or device to treat it, here are some things to do:

• Do some research and ask your doctor if a product or treatment you’re considering will work for you.
• If you get a robocall offering treatment for chronic pain, hang up. Scammers often call to ask about any chronic pain you may be struggling with and then offer to solve your problem, all to get you to hand over money or your personal information. Don’t do it.
• Check out treatment options for chronic pain and look at the evidence and results of studies at the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) National Center of Complementary and Integrative Health.

Diabetes

Like many chronic diseases, diabetes requires individualized treatment by a physician. There isn't a cure yet for diabetes, but losing weight, eating healthy food, and being active can help. Taking medicine as needed, getting diabetes self-management education and support, and keeping health care appointments can also help lessen the impact of diabetes on your life.

If you or someone you know is thinking about using a nonprescription product to treat diabetes:

• Remember that supplements can be dangerous — especially if they cause you to delay or stop effective, proven treatments for diabetes.
• Talk with your health care provider first. If you’re tempted to use a nonprescription product to treat diabetes, high blood sugar, or any other serious health condition, talk with your health care provider before you act.

For more information about diabetes treatments, visit The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and The American Diabetes Association.

Vitamins and Dietary Supplements

Under federal law, no one can promote dietary supplements for the treatment of a disease. But dishonest companies often make false claims like “helps prevent Alzheimer’s disease,” “stops arthritis pain forever,” “cures eye disease,” “is traditional remedy for heart disease, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction,” and “prevents allergies.” If you spot claims like those, you know they’re false. Stop and tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

While dietary supplements might seem similar to drugs, and some even have drug-like effects, there are big differences. Before you consider taking a supplement, know that

• Unlike drugs, dietary supplements are not evaluated or reviewed by FDA for safety and effectiveness.
• Even "natural" supplements can be risky. In fact, “natural” can mean both harmful and ineffective. And some “natural” products could interfere with proven treatments recommended by your doctor.
• Your doctor or health provider is your best and most important source of information on whether a supplement is safe for you. You might ask about the effectiveness of the supplement, the ingredients, if it’s safe to take (including with your other medication), and how much to take.

Safety Concerns About Dietary Supplements

Many dietary supplements contain illegal drugs or hidden substances that could cause serious harm. This is especially true for weight loss, sexual enhancement, and bodybuilding supplements. People who’ve taken these dangerous products have suffered serious health consequences, including strokes, acute liver injury, kidney failure, and pulmonary embolisms (artery blockage in the lung). Some people have died.

Dangerous supplements are often sold with false and misleading claims like "100% natural" and "safe." To recognize dangerous products, look for

• Products claiming to be alternatives to FDA-approved drugs or claiming to have effects similar to prescription drugs.
• Products claiming to be legal alternatives to anabolic steroids.
• Products with ads or product packaging and marketing information primarily in a foreign language.
• Products that promise rapid effects or results.

To learn more about vitamins and dietary supplements, visit the FDA’s pages on dietary supplements, buying medicines and medical products online, and health fraud. Also, visit the NIH’s resources on dietary supplements.

Reliable Sources of Information About Diseases and Treatments

To find reliable sources of information about diseases and their treatments, visit MedlinePlus.gov, a site operated by NIH and Healthfinder.gov. NIH’s National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health has information about alternative and complementary medicine.

Report Health Scams

If you think you’ve spotted a scam, tell your friends and family about it so they can protect themselves. Then report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report could help the FTC stop the scammers and help someone else avoid that scam.

To report side effects, bad reactions, or illnesses related to the use of a supplement or other health care product, call a doctor or other health care provider immediately. Then, report it to the FDA’s MedWatch site or call 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088). Patients’ names are kept confidential.