Office of Fair Trading
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OFT launches fake websites to warn of bogus weight loss and 'miracle' health cures
As part of its Scams Awareness Month, the OFT has launched two spoof websites to warn consumers of the dangers of 'miracle' health and weight loss scams that cost UK consumers an estimated £20m every year.
Employing similar techniques to those used by scammers, the OFT will be drawing consumers to the spoof - but initially convincing - miracle cure sites and then revealing that they are the victims of a potential scam. Internet banner advertising, sponsored links on search engine sites, and keyword techniques that push the sites higher up in online searches, will be used to drive consumers looking for health or slimming treatments to the fake websites.
The websites can be found at: http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/fatfoe and http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/glucobate
The first website, for 'Fatfoe' pads, claims that the product 'sucks out excess fat and cellulite while you sleep' so that you can enjoy your favorite foods and still lose up to twenty pounds of weight a week. The second website, for 'Glucobate', claims that the product is 'the all-natural diabetes breakthrough' that diabetics have been waiting for with 'the healing aromatics of muskmelon'. But consumers who try to order from the websites are redirected to a page explaining that the products are fake, posted by the OFT to warn about the dangers of such scams.
The initiative is being supported by Sense About Science, an independent charitable trust which responds to misrepresentation about science, and leading diabetes charity Diabetes UK.
Every year an estimated 200,000 UK consumers waste money on 'miracle' cures for everything including baldness, obesity, impotence and old age. The OFT has previously taken action to stop a variety of misleading claims, ranging from a suction pad worn on the foot which claimed to suck out excess fat though a 'trap door' in the skin, a 'negative calorie' chocolate of which it was claimed 'the more you eat the more you lose', and a strip placed on the tongue that claimed to be 'five times more powerful than any other impotency pill, spray or cure'.
The OFT advises consumers to be wary of miracle health products
that:
* claim to be a medical 'breakthrough' - often
scammers falsely say the product has been successfully tested and
fabricate scientific 'experts' and institutions,
*
use questionable 'success stories' - scammers often use
fake customer testimonials,
* offer a 'no risk'
money back guarantee to try and convince you the claims are
genuine - scammers will just take your money.
Mike Haley, OFT Director of Consumer Protection,
said:
'Miracle health scams target vulnerable people who
are desperate to lose weight or find a cure. The products are
often worthless and can even be dangerous with untested and
potentially harmful ingredients. Always seek professional advice
from your doctor or pharmacist before you part with your money.'
Diabetes UK Care Advisor Zoe Harrison said:
'Companies
offering fake supplements often play on the most vulnerable
members of society and in the vast majority of cases there is no
evidence to suggest the 'medication' is safe for people
with diabetes to take, let alone help them manage their condition.'
Alice Tuff, Development Officer at Sense About Science
said:
'The internet is cluttered with adverts and
chat-room conversations testifying to 'incredible'
benefits from untested, sometimes bogus, cures and treatments. The
emotional and financial costs of these for the people who get
drawn in can be huge and it is vital that we keep promoting
public vigilance in tackling this serious problem.'
NOTES
1. OFT research shows that 78 per cent of victims of
miracle health scams are women and 70 per cent are aged between 35
and 64. However, only one per cent of respondents ever report this
type of scam to the authorities.
2. The OFT has taken action to stop a range of misleading
slimming and health claims - see press releases
http://www.oft.gov.uk/news/press/2007/169-07
http://www.oft.gov.uk/news/press/2007/89-07
http://www.oft.gov.uk/news/press/2007/82-07
http://www.oft.gov.uk/news/press/2007/4-07
http://www.oft.gov.uk/news/press/2006/101-06
http://www.oft.gov.uk/news/press/2008/89-08
3. The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 ('CPRs') contain a general prohibition against unfair commercial practices and, in particular prohibitions against misleading actions, misleading omissions and aggressive commercial practices. False claims that a product is able to cure illnesses, dysfunction or malformations are also banned. The Regulations are enforceable through the civil and criminal courts.
4. Scams Awareness Month is part of an annual international initiative organised by the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network. The OFT has enlisted the support of Local Authority Trading Standards Services, Consumer Direct, and other consumer and industry bodies.
5. Sense About Science is an independent charitable trust that responds to the misrepresentation of science and scientific evidence on issues that matter to society. It also works with scientists and civic groups to promote evidence and scientific reasoning in public discussion. For more details visit their website http://www.senseaboutscience.org.uk
6. The concept of Fatfoe and Glucobate have been adapted from a similar campaign by the US Federal Trade Commission and the Competition Bureau of Canada to warn about diet and health scams.
http://www.oft.gov.uk
PUBLIC enquiries: 0845
7224499
enquiries@oft.gov.uk
OFT reports and consumer
information leaflets are available free from:
OFT, PO Box 366,
Hayes UB3 1XB 0800 389 3158 oft@ecgroup.uk.com
