TULSA, Okla. — Nationwide shortages of products like baby formula can lead to scammers taking advantage of desperate consumers.
As Chelsey Norris tries to relax on the couch and read to her children, Levi and Zoey, a single can of formula sits on the table. That makes these days anything but relaxing, as Chelsey says she can’t find any more formula on store shelves.
“I am extremely stressed out about it,” Norris says. “I never thought this would happen.”
Two-year-old Zoey’s old enough to drink regular milk, and they hope to have 10-month-old Levi on milk and baby food in a couple of months, but for now, as his mother says, formula is his best friend. One can, though, won’t go very far.
“It’ll last about a week, considering he’s a big boy, he likes his food,” Norris says.
She says she’ll ration the formula she has left the best she can, until the family can find more — hopefully without falling victim to false promises.
Scammers have sunk to new lows, says Colleen Tressler, with the Federal Trade Commission.
“They’re popping up online and tricking desperate parents and caregivers into paying steep prices for formula that never arrives,” Tressler says.
The FTC says scammers may set up fake websites or profiles on social media with product images and logos of well-known formula brands, all to make you think you’re buying from the companies’ official website.
So before you order from an unfamiliar online store, the FTC says check out the company or product by typing its…
