63 Health Fraud
You have probably seen ads for miracle cures—a supplement to cure cancer, a diet to cure diabetes. But remember—if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. Health fraud involves selling drugs, devices, foods or cosmetics that have not been proven effective. At best, these scams don’t work. At worst, they’re dangerous. They also waste money, and they might keep you from getting the treatment you really need. Health scams often target older people. Most victims in the United States are older than 65.
To protect yourself,
- Question claims of miracle cures or breakthroughs
- Know that newspapers, magazines, and radio and TV stations do not have to make sure that the ads they run are true
- Find out about products before you buy them
- Don’t let salespeople force you into making snap decisions
- Check with your doctor before taking products
Learning Activity
Watch these short videos by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration:
What are the red flags that should make you suspicious about health product or treatment claims?
Miracle Health Claims: Add a Dose of Skepticism
People spend billions of dollars a year on health-related products and treatments that not only are unproven and often useless, but also sometimes are dangerous. The products promise quick cures and easy solutions for a variety of problems, from obesity and arthritis to cancer and AIDS. But the “cures” don’t deliver, and people who buy them are cheated out of their money, their time, and even their health. That’s why it’s important to learn how to evaluate claims for products related to your health.
Are You a Target for Health Fraudsters?
You’ve seen miracle claims for products related to health. It’s no wonder. People spend billions of dollars a year on fraudulently marketed health-related products and treatments that not only are unproven and often useless, but sometimes also are dangerous.
Health fraud trades on false hope. It promises quick cures and easy solutions for a variety of problems, from obesity and arthritis to cancer and AIDS. But the “cures” don’t deliver. Fraudulently marketed health products can have dangerous interactions with medicines people are already taking, and can keep them from getting a proper diagnosis and treatment from their own health care professional. Many unapproved treatments are expensive, too, and rarely covered by health insurance.
Health fraudsters often target people who are overweight, have serious conditions like cancer, or conditions without a cure, like:
- multiple sclerosis
- diabetes
- Alzheimer’s disease
- HIV/AIDS
- arthritis
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) say it’s important to learn how to evaluate health claims, especially if you have a serious condition.
Cancer
If you or someone you love has cancer, you may be curious about supposed “miracle” cancer-fighting products —like pills, powders, and herbs—that you’ve seen adverti