SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is a volunteer attorney who provides free legal services for low income seniors in San Mateo County, California.

August 22, 2019

WEIGHT LOSS SCAMS

Some ads for weight loss products promise miracles. They might say that the product works for everyone or will let you lose weight permanently. Those claims are lies. Dishonest scammers will tell you anything to get you to buy their product. They might have images of “doctors” in their ads and even “news” reports, or testimonials to make you believe that the product works.

Promises like “lose weight without diet or exercise” or the “product works for everyone” are false.

The truth is that weight loss requires lifestyle changes. Doctors, dieticians, and other experts agree that the best way to lose weight is to eat less and exercise more. But if you get wooed by a weight loss ad with wild promises, all you’ll lose is your money. And the products might not be safe.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has investigated, sued, and stopped many companies that made false weight loss claims in their ads. The FTC launched a new website to help people identify false weight loss claims. At FTC.gov/WeightLoss you’ll find tips about how to avoid scams and share this with your friends.

If you are a weight loss victim—or attempted victim—share this with the Federal Trade Commission, www.ftc.gov. It might keep others from being scammed.

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