Health

Related Scams

From Consumer Alerts

Consumer Alert

Unmasking sellers of bogus COVID-19 prevention claims

Colleen Tressler, FTC, Division of Consumer and Business Education

October 24, 2023

Even though the COVID-19 health emergency is over, many Americans continue to struggle with treatment for illness ― and the FTC will continue go after bad actors who trick people with claims about their products. Case in point: The sellers of The 1 Virus Buster Invisible Mask ― also advertised as The 1 Virus Buster Card ― claim their product gives you an invisible, three-foot barrier of protection against 99.99% of airborne diseases, including COVID-19. Hard to believe? The FTC agrees. Read on to learn more.

Consumer Alert

Free COVID test kits are back: Here’s how to get yours

Colleen Tressler, FTC, Division of Consumer and Business Education

September 25, 2023

Starting November 20, every U.S. household can again place an order to receive four more free COVID-19 rapid tests delivered directly to their home.

Consumer Alert

Children’s Health Insurance Program: Spot the scam

Marissa Hopkins

September 22, 2023

Finding and keeping health insurance for your family can be stressful and expensive. During the pandemic, your state’s Medicaid Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) might have helped — but with the end of the pandemic, states may be reaching out to update your family Medicaid enrollments. Except scammers might try to get to you first. So how can you spot them?

Consumer Alert

Government warns sellers of edible cannabis: Stop using packaging that mimics foods popular with kids

Colleen Tressler

July 5, 2023

When sellers of edible cannabis products use packaging that mimics popular kids snacks and candy, it can be a recipe for significant health effects on kids — and unsuspecting adults. Edible cannabis like gummies, cookies, candies, and chips have cannabis that’s derived from marijuana or hemp. Some of these foods have Delta-8 THC, which is a part of cannabis that causes psychoactive and intoxicating effects ― and can have significant health effects on both adults and children. Check out the packages below. Would your kids know that eating these items could hurt them or maybe even send them to the hospital?