Unmasking Swine Flu Scams

The H1N1 flu outbreak is nothing to sneeze at, but unfortunately, it has become not only a major epidemic, but an opportunity for criminals to take advantage of anxious consumers.

Since May 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned more than 75 websites to stop the sale of more than 135 products that “fraudulently” made claims associated with the H1N1 flu virus.

The FDA has even gone as far as publishing a list of unapproved, uncleared or unauthorized products that made claims about effectiveness against H1N1, including a shampoo and several supplements that claimed to protect against the virus, a spray that allegedly left a layer of protective ionic silver that killed the virus on hands, and an electronic instrument that used “mega-frequency life-force energy waves” to boost one’s immune system.

Just like medicine shows peddling “miracle” medicines, there are always people that work the system for their own benefit.
As attentive consumers, we can protect ourselves and our loved ones by going to the best resources for accurate information. For instance, if there’s a law-related question on your mind, your Provider Attorney is your source.