CHARLOTTE, NC– The BBB is warning people about possible Ebola scams and bogus products that scammers may be trying to sell.
News about the spread of Ebola has caught the eyes of scammers who may be pitching products that they claim can help prevent or treat the disease.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration states, “There are currently no FDA-approved vaccines or drugs to prevent or treat Ebola … There are no approved vaccines, drugs, specifically for purchase on the Internet.”
The FDA also says if you may be tempted to buy products related to Ebola, to check with your doctor or health care professional first.
The BBB and FDA offer these tips to recognize fraudulent health products:
- One product does it all. Be suspicious of products that claim to cure a wide range of diseases. No one product could be effective against a long, varied list of conditions or diseases.
- Personal testimonials. Success stories are easy to make up and are not a substitute for scientific evidence.
- Quick fixes. Few diseases or conditions can be treated quickly, even with legitimate products.
- “All natural.” Some plants found in nature (such as poisonous mushrooms) can kill when consumed. Numerous “all natural” products contain hidden, untested, or dangerous ingredients.
- “Miracle cure.” If a real cure for a serious disease were discovered, it would be widely reported through the news media and prescribed by health professionals—not buried in print ads, TV infomercials or on Internet sites.
- Conspiracy theories. These statements are used to distract consumers from the obvious, common-sense questions about the so-called miracle cure.
