FTC Consumer Alert

Federal Trade Commission n Bureau of Consumer Protection n Office of Consumer and Business Education

Virtual Treatments Can Be Real-World Deceptions

Washington, D.C.  Unscrupulous marketers are using cyberspace to peddle miracle treatments and

cures to vulnerable consumers. Many of their ads, which feature exotic potions and pills, strange magnetic or

electrical devices, special curative diets, or newly discovered therapies, contain questionable claims about the

effectiveness and safety of these products or services. So says the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which

found the misleading or deceptive ads while surfing the Internet.

Misleading offers for products and treatments for heart disease, cancer, AIDS, diabetes, arthritis, multiple

sclerosis, and other medical conditions could be costly in several ways, according to the FTC. Consumers could

lose their money and increase their health risk, especially if they delay or forego proper medical treatment. There

also is the risk that these products may have dangerous interactions with other medicines. The FTC advises

consumers to consult their doctor, pharmacist, other healthcare professionals, or public health organizations

before purchasing any product or treatment with a claim that sounds too good to be true.

The FTC cautions consumers who have a serious or chronic illness to be wary as they consider ads for

products or services to treat their conditions  whether the pitches are made on the Internet, television or

radio, or in newspapers, magazines, or brochures  and to ask themselves one very important question: If a

medical breakthrough really has occurred in the treatment of a serious illness, would the news be announced first

in an ad?

How can you tell if an advertising claim for a miracle health-related product is likely to be phony, exaggerated, or unproven? The FTC says these tip-offs generally signal a rip-off:

 Claims that a product is a scientific breakthrough, miraculous cure, secret ingredient or ancient remedy.

 Claims that the product is an effective cure for a wide range of ailments. No product can cure multiple

conditions or diseases.

 Claims that use impressive-sounding medical terms. Theyre often covering up a lack of good science.

 Undocumented case histories of people whove had amazing results. Its too easy to make them up. And

even if true, they cant be generalized to the entire population. Anecdotes are not a substitute for valid

science.

 Claims that the product is available from only one source, and payment is required in advance.

 Claims of a money-back guarantee.

 Claims that the medical profession or research scientists are conspiring to suppress the advertised product to

keep their market share.

 Websites that fail to list the companys name, physical address, phone number or other contact information.

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the

marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a complaint, or to

get free information on any of 150 consumer topics, call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357), or

use the complaint form at www.ftc.gov. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft and other fraudrelated complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal

law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.

June 2001

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