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The FTC is cracking down on companies that attempt to manipulate or deceive people seeking treatment for addiction. For those who need it, getting quick and accurate information on addiction treatment might be life-saving. But quick and accurate information is not, the FTC alleges, what people got from Evoke Wellness (“Evoke”).

In a settlement announced today, the FTC argues that Evoke ran Google search ads that impersonated specific treatment centers people searched for online. When people called the phone number shown in the ad, the FTC alleges they were diverted to Evoke’s call center — where representatives would pretend to be the treatment center people searched for while trying to redirect them to an Evoke treatment center instead.

If you’re searching for treatment (or anything else) online, make sure you’re dealing with the real thing:

  • Know that the first two or three search results you see might be ads a company paid to place based on the search terms you used. These paid or “sponsored” ads may or may not be what you’re looking for.
  • Don't assume a phone number that comes up in search results belongs to a legitimate business or the company you searched. Scroll to the unpaid search results to help make sure you have the right website or contact info.
  • Go directly to a company or organization’s website to find accurate contact information. Type a company’s website address directly into your browser if you know it.

See a misleading ad? Tell the FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov. 

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