Avoiding Health Scams

Advertisers and marketers have a psychological secret that they have used again and again to sell their products over the last century: the more someone sees something or hears something, again and again, the more likely that they will accept it as truth. This is why we are constantly bombarded with advertisements everywhere we look: television commercials, billboards, newspapers, magazines, radio stations, and now, there are even algorithms via search engine sites that help social media sites and other web forms target the kind of advertisements that you will see when you are scrolling through Facebook, Instagram, or other websites based off of what you have previously searched on Google.

Scammers use that same idea to sell fake cures, misleading products, and risky services. This article explains how those scams work and what you and your loved ones can do to avoid them.

How health scams reach people

Scammers do not always work the way a door-to-door con does. They use many channels so a person sees the same message over and over. Common ways they reach people include:

• Television and radio ads with emotional appeals.
• Social media posts that look like news or personal stories.
• Pop-up ads on websites and search results that seem to match prior searches.
• Phone calls that claim to be from a company or government program.
• Mail that mimics official forms or offers.

They try to win trust by repeating a claim and by copying the look of real medical or government materials. They may offer a free trial, urgent-sounding deadlines, or promises of easy recovery. Those tactics push people to act before they check the facts.

Common red flags to watch for

Here are some simple signs that a health claim might be a scam:

• Big promises that sound too good to be true. If a product says it cures many different serious problems quickly, be skeptical.
• Pressure to act now. If there is a short deadline or a limited supply, that can be a sales trick.
• Requests for personal or financial information up front. Real medical providers rarely ask for full personal details over an unsolicited call or pop-up.
• Claims that a product is "just like" a name-brand drug but cheaper. Those claims can hide low quality or fake products.
• No clear contact information or an address that looks fake. If an email or ad does not list a real office or phone number, that is a warning.
• Testimonials that feel exaggerated or that come from unnamed people.

If you see multiple red flags, step away and check before you give money or information.

How to check a product or claim

Take these simple steps before you decide to buy or try something:

1. Ask your regular doctor or pharmacist. A trusted health professional can often tell you whether a product is safe or likely to help.
2. Look for clear, verifiable information. Real medical products will list active ingredients and evidence from reputable sources. Be careful when you see vague claims with no proof.
3. Search for the company name plus words like "complaint" or "scam." If other people have been misled, you will often find reports or warnings.
4. Read the fine print. Free trials can turn into recurring charges. Check how to cancel and how you will be billed.
5. Use common sense about testimonials. Stories can be helpful, but they do not replace real evidence.

What to do if you or a loved one is targeted

If you think a scammer is targeting you or a family member, these steps will help reduce harm:

• Stop contact. Do not give more information or money.
• Document what happened. Save emails, texts, and receipts. These can help if you file a report.
• Contact your bank or card company if you gave payment information. They can often stop future charges.
• Tell a trusted family member or friend so you do not deal with the situation alone.
• Report the scam to local consumer protection offices or other official agencies. Reporting helps warn others.

Protecting older adults at home

Scammers often focus on older adults because of trust and habit. Families can take steps that make a real difference:

• Keep devices and browsers updated. Many scams arrive through malicious websites and messages.
• Set up shared routines for big purchases. Ask family members to be involved in large or unusual medical buys.
• Teach a few basic signs of scams and role-play how to respond to pushy callers.
• Use call-blocking features and screen unfamiliar calls. Let voicemail filter unknown numbers.

Being careful does not mean being fearful. It means pausing, asking questions, and checking facts. With a few simple habits, you can protect yourself and the people you care for from health scams.