BBB Tip of the Week

An email in your inbox may claim to have the cure to diabetes. If you or someone you know is living daily with diabetes, then you know how welcome a cure would be. Unfortunately, the claim isn’t true, and scammers are preying on that desire and hope.

The scam can take shape in several ways. The claim of a “cure” or medicine that “reverses” diabetes may include an endorsement from Harvard, Johns Hopkins or some other well-known research or scientific organization. However, the endorsement is completely false. The email may also claim that the government or big corporations are actively working against the release of the cure and usually include some conspiracy theory rhetoric. Of course, the email includes an exclusive link to purchase the medicine.

The linked website will also tout the miracle cure. If you do end up purchasing, you’ll own some very expensive vitamins or supplements. And the scammers will have your credit card information to use or sell to other fraudsters.

Better Business Bureau offers the following advice to avoid fraudulent claims for cures and other miracle supplements in emails:

• Don’t believe any miracle cure claim in an email or advertised on a website. Cures that actually work would be widely reported on reputable news sites and would be prescribed by licensed physicians.

• A single product that cures many ailments is a red flag that you are dealing with a scammer.

• Question the motive of any conspiracy theory. They are most often used to distract you from the lack of scientific evidence.

• Don’t trust personal testimonials instead of scientific evidence when it comes to medicine or products for your health.

• “All natural” claims don’t mean much. Some plants and animals create poisons that are all natural and definitely wouldn’t improve your health.

• Talk to your doctor before taking any new medicine, supplement, mineral or vitamin because it could have a negative interaction with other medicines you are taking or any current health condition.

Before purchasing products online, check out the company’s BBB Business Review at www.bbb.org. You can also search for the product or company along with “scam” to see what others have reported.

For more information on health and fitness scams, you can visit the FTC’s webpage at http://1.usa.gov/1WDIC1a.

To report a scam, visit BBB at www.bbb.org/scams or call (509) 455-4200.

Erin T. Dodge, BBB editor