BBB Tip: Spot misleading ads, subscription traps for weight loss products
Published 2:40 pm Monday, January 9, 2023
The following is from the Better Business Bureau:
When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, scammers know that losing weight and getting in shape is one of the most popular goals. This has led to a slew of scams involving vitamins, supplements, and weight loss formulas, all claiming to offer rapid results. Not only are the products themselves questionable, so are the business dealings of the companies peddling them.
How the scam works
Most weight loss product scams start with promises that are simply too good to be true. Body wraps, topical creams, dietary supplements, pills, powders, skin patches, even earrings have been advertised to “melt,” “flush,” “burn” or “dissolve” away unwanted fat, fast. These ads usually come with some amazing before and after pictures of people who claim to have used the product, and glowing five-star reviews. According to many recent reports, these weight loss products often claim to have been featured
on popular TV shows like “Shark Tank.” You may see these ads on TV, in periodicals, or more commonly, on social media. The sad truth is the ads…
