Many consumers want to shed a little extra pounds for the holiday season. The Better Business Bureau he’s ringing in 2023 offers tips to help people avoid falling prey to exaggerated weight loss ads and scams. The desire to get in shape or lose weight fast creates the risk of being duped by products that don’t work as advertised, have many unwanted side effects, or cause weight gain instead.
Whenever I see claims of miracle weight loss, I am very skeptical.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has warned consumers about dozens of false weight loss claims. Many consumers turn to products such as body wraps, topical creams, nutritional supplements, skin patches, and even earrings that promise to “melt,” “wash away,” “burn,” or “dissolve” unwanted fat. You will have to purchase it and use it.
Promotions that advertise “miracle” weight loss products or products with immediate results should be considered potentially fraudulent. These products, when delivered as promised, are often ineffective in delivering promised results and, worse, can cause potentially dangerous side effects.
Fraudulent weight loss products are often advertised with celebrity images and fake testimonials. Additionally, as investigated in a 2018 BBB study, “Subscription Traps and Deceptive Free Trials Scam Millions with Misleading Ads and Fake Celebrity Endorsements,” fraudulent Free trial offers are very common. According to the study, consumers have filed nearly 37,000 complaints of his since 2015, with BBB ScamTracker reports related to fraudulent free trial offers and fake celebrity endorsements, with one victim The average loss per trade was $186.
Many consumer complaints state that it is difficult to cancel a weight loss program even if the product does not work as advertised.
Some consumers said their credit card was repeatedly charged for additional items when they thought it was a one-time purchase. When they contacted customer service, they were informed that they had signed up for a subscription, but this was only disclosed in the fine print of the original purchase terms and conditions.
In other similar complaints, consumers explained that they were notified of additional shipments of weight loss products they had not ordered. Consumers have struggled to obtain refunds for shipped items.
Many consumers have also complained because they were unable to achieve the weight loss goals stated in the product’s advertisements.
To avoid weight loss scams, the BBB recommends:
- Always be wary of advertisements or customer recommendations that promise “miraculous” results or immediate weight loss. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, evidence suggests that gradual weight loss of 1 to 2 pounds per week is a healthy goal and more effective in achieving long-term weight loss. Ask your doctor what an achievable weight loss goal is for you.
- Determine your fitness goals. Losing weight is hard work. Find a program you can stick with, preferably one you enjoy. Does my weight loss plan require a special diet? Can I cancel if I travel or the program doesn’t meet my needs or turns out to be more expensive than expected?
- Avoid products that claim to help you lose weight without dieting or exercise.I’m particularly skeptical of claims that you don’t need to give up your favorite foods or eat less. Doctors, nutritionists, and other experts agree that weight loss takes effort. Let go of products that promise miraculous results without any effort.
- Check product ingredients with FDA.Be suspicious of taking special pills, powders, or herbs. Some products have been recalled because they contain ingredients with potentially dangerous effects. Check out our list of public notices from the FDA on weight loss products. In Canada, check with Health Canada for guidelines.
- Please note that there is no ingredient list.Some companies have been accused of not promoting certain ingredients that may have harmful side effects or may adversely affect prescription drugs.
- Please read the terms and conditions for all of our weight loss products.Before you click checkout or buy, make sure your cart contains only the items you want to purchase and does not include signing up for a subscription unless you want that option. you cancel
- When participating in online forumsIn chat rooms focused on weight loss and fitness topics, beware of individuals pushing products claiming to help you reach your goals quickly.
- corporate researchAt BBB.org before you buy. Read reviews about the company to see if there are any complaints claiming it is a scam.
- Be careful with free trial offers and understand all terms and conditions before signing up.These deals can become “subscription traps” that lure consumers into shipping expensive products that they have not consented to purchase.
- Please report deceptive ads.Be skeptical of the ridiculously positive testimonials on the company’s website. Testimonials have become an easy marketing tool and are easily faked. These are often accompanied by glorious before and after photos. Call BBB to report any suspicious, misleading or misleading ads to BBB Ad Truth or report fraud on BBB ScamTracker.
Check out the BBB Scam Tracker to investigate and report scams. To find his BBB business profile for companies and charities, visit BBB.org.
For more tips and scam alerts, see BBB’s New Year’s Guide and BBB news feed.
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