AgePage

National Institute on Aging

Beware of 

Health Scams 

You see the ads everywhere these days—

“Smart Drugs” for long life or “Arthritis 

Aches and Pains Disappear Like Magic!” 

or even statements claiming, “This 

treatment cured my cancer 

in 1 week.” It’s easy 

to understand the 

appeal of these 

promises. But 

there is still 

plenty of truth to 

the old saying, “If it 

sounds too good to 

be true, it probably is!” 

Health scams and the marketing of 

unproven cures have been around for 

many years. Today, there are more ways 

than ever to sell these untested products. 

In addition to TV, radio, magazines, 

newspapers, infomercials, mail, telemarketing, and even word-of-mouth, 
AgePage

National Institute on Aging

2 

Beware of 

Health Scams 

You see the ads everywhere these days—

“Smart Drugs” for long life or “Arthritis 

Aches and Pains Disappear Like Magic!” 

or even statements claiming, “This 

treatment cured my cancer 

in 1 week.” It’s easy 

to understand the 

appeal of these 

promises. But 

there is still 

plenty of truth to 

the old saying, “If it 

sounds too good to 

be true, it probably is!” 

Health scams and the marketing of 

unproven cures have been around for 

many years. Today, there are more ways 

than ever to sell these untested products. 

In addition to TV, radio, magazines, 

newspapers, infomercials, mail, telemarketing, and even word-of-mouth, 

these products are now offered over 

the Internet—with websites describing 

miracle cures and emails telling stories 

of overnight magic. Sadly, older people 

are often the target of such scams. 

The problem is serious. Untested 

remedies may be harmful. They may get 

in the way of medicines prescribed by 

a doctor. They may also waste money. 

And, sometimes, using these products 

keeps people from getting the medical 

treatment they need. 

False Hopes

Why do people fall for these sales pitches? 

Unproven remedies promise false hope. 

They offer cures that appear to be 

painless or quick. At best, these treatments are worthless. At worst, they are 

dangerous. Health scams prey on people 

who are frightened or in pain. Living 

with a chronic health problem is hard. 

It’s easy to see why people might fall for 

a false promise of a quick and painless 

cure. The best way for scientists to find 

out if a treatment works is through a 

clinical trial.

These scams usually target diseases 

that have no cures, like diabetes, arthritis, 

and Alzheimer’s disease. You may see 

ads for: 
AgePage

National Institute on Aging

2 

Beware of 

Health Scams 

You see the ads everywhere these days—

“Smart Drugs” for long life or “Arthritis 

Aches and Pains Disappear Like Magic!” 

or even statements claiming, “This 

treatment cured my cancer 

in 1 week.” It’s easy 

to understand the 

appeal of these 

promises. But 

there is still 

plenty of truth to 

the old saying, “If it 

sounds too good to 

be true, it probably is!” 

Health scams and the marketing of 

unproven cures have been around for 

many years. Today, there are more ways 

than ever to sell these untested products. 

In addition to TV, radio, magazines, 

newspapers, infomercials, mail, telemarketing, and even word-of-mouth, 

these products are now offered over 

the Internet—with websites describing 

miracle cures and emails telling stories 

of overnight magic. Sadly, older people 

are often the target of such scams. 

The problem is serious. Untested 

remedies may be harmful. They may get 

in the way of medicines prescribed by 

a doctor. They may also waste money. 

And, sometimes, using these products 

keeps people from getting the medical 

treatment they need. 

False Hopes

Why do people fall for these sales pitches? 

Unproven remedies promise false hope. 

They offer cures that appear to be 

painless or quick. At best, these treatments are worthless. At worst, they are 

dangerous. Health scams prey on people 

who are frightened or in pain. Living 

with a chronic health problem is hard. 

It’s easy to see why people might fall for 

a false promise of a quick and painless 

cure. The best way for scientists to find 

out if a treatment works is through a 

clinical trial.

These scams usually target diseases 

that have no cures, like diabetes, arthritis, 

and Alzheimer’s disease. You may see 

ads for: 
6 7 

the same sales tricks. Look for red flags 

in ads or promotional materials that: 

F Promise a quick or painless cure

F Claim the product is made from a 

special, secret, or ancient formula 

F Offer products and services only by 

mail or from one company 

F Use statements or unproven case 

histories from so-called satisfied 

patients 

F Claim to be a cure for a wide range 

of ailments 

F Claim to cure a disease (such as 

arthritis or Alzheimer’s disease) that 

hasn’t been cured by medical science

F Promise a no-risk, money-back 

guarantee 

F Offer an additional “free” gift or a 

larger amount of the product as a 

“special promotion” 

F Require advance payment and 

claim there is a limited supply of 

the product 

Two Federal government agencies 

work to protect you from health scams. 

The Federal Trade Commission can help 

you spot fraud. The Food and Drug 

F Health insurance. Some companies 

target people who are unable to 

get health insurance. They offer 

coverage that promises more than 

it intends to deliver. When you think 

about buying health insurance, 

remember to find out if the company 

and agent are licensed in your State. 

How Can You Protect Yourself 

From Health Scams? 

Be wary. Question 

what you see or 

hear in ads or 

on the Internet. 

Newspapers, 

magazines, radio, 

and TV stations 

do not always check 

to make sure the claims in the ads 

they run are true. Find out about a 

product before you buy. Don’t let a 

salesperson talk you into making a 

snap decision. Check with your 

health care provider first. 

Remember the old stories about 

the snake oil salesman who traveled 

from town to town making wild claims 

for his fabulous product? Well, chances 

are that today’s scam artists are using 
6 7 

the same sales tricks. Look for red flags 

in ads or promotional materials that: 

F Promise a quick or painless cure

F Claim the product is made from a 

special, secret, or ancient formula 

F Offer products and services only by 

mail or from one company 

F Use statements or unproven case 

histories from so-called satisfied 

patients 

F Claim to be a cure for a wide range 

of ailments 

F Claim to cure a disease (such as 

arthritis or Alzheimer’s disease) that 

hasn’t been cured by medical science

F Promise a no-risk, money-back 

guarantee 

F Offer an additional “free” gift or a 

larger amount of the product as a 

“special promotion” 

F Require advance payment and 

claim there is a limited supply of 

the product 

Two Federal government agencies 

work to protect you from health scams. 

The Federal Trade Commission can help 

you spot fraud. The Food and Drug 

F Health insurance. Some companies 

target people who are unable to 

get health insurance. They offer 

coverage that promises more than 

it intends to deliver. When you think 

about buying health insurance, 

remember to find out if the company 

and agent are licensed in your State. 

How Can You Protect Yourself 

From Health Scams? 

Be wary. Question 

what you see or 

hear in ads or 

on the Internet. 

Newspapers, 

magazines, radio, 

and TV stations 

do not always check 

to make sure the claims in the ads 

they run are true. Find out about a 

product before you buy. Don’t let a 

salesperson talk you into making a 

snap decision. Check with your 

health care provider first. 

Remember the old stories about 

the snake oil salesman who traveled 

from town to town making wild claims 

for his fabulous product? Well, chances 

are that today’s scam artists are using 
6 

F Health insurance. Some companies 

target people who are unable to 

get health insurance. They offer 

coverage that promises more than 

it intends to deliver. When you think 

about buying health insurance, 

remember to find out if the company 

and agent are licensed in your State. 

How Can You Protect Yourself 

From Health Scams? 

Be wary. Question 

what you see or 

hear in ads or 

on the Internet. 

Newspapers, 

magazines, radio, 

and TV stations 

do not always check 

to make sure the claims in the ads 

they run are true. Find out about a 

product before you buy. Don’t let a 

salesperson talk you into making a 

snap decision. Check with your 

health care provider first. 

Remember the old stories about 

the snake oil salesman who traveled 

from town to town making wild claims 

for his fabulous product? Well, chances 

are that today’s scam artists are using