Weight loss scams promise dramatic weight loss with little or no
effort. This type of scam may involve an unusual or restrictive
diet, revolutionary exercise, a ‘fat-busting’ device, breakthrough
pills, patches or creams. You may be required to make a large
advance payment or enter into a long-term contract to receive
ongoing supplies.
Fake online pharmacies offer counterfeit drugs and medicine at
very cheap prices, and sometimes provide them without a doctor’s
prescription. These drugs may have limited or no active ingredients,
which can have lethal consequences for users.
Protect yourself
- If you are approached by a charity street collector, ask to see their
identification. If you have any doubts about who they are, do
not pay. - Check the Australian Charities Not for Profit Association’s list of
registered charities. - Consult your healthcare professional if you are considering a
‘miracle’ or ‘instant-fix’ claim about medicines, supplements or
other treatments. - Ask yourself: if this really is a miracle cure, wouldn’t your healthcare
professional have told you about it?