Money and pills - beware of health scams

Working to become a healthier you in the new year is an admirable goal. Below are some tips to help you avoid potential pitfalls in your health journey:  

  • Consider carefully any promises of losing weight with little to no effort. Like with many things in life, unfortunately when something sounds too good to be true it probably is. Weight loss typically takes consistent and often prolonged efforts. Think carefully about the claims being made in the advertising you see about weight loss goods or services. See the FTC’s website to learn more.

  • Before taking new pills or natural remedies, consider speaking with a healthcare professional. Dietary supplements are not reviewed by the government. This means that sometimes those supplements may not provide the benefits they are promising. Even natural products could negatively impact certain health conditions or interact with your other medications or supplements, so ask a professional to be safe, and to potentially avoid wasting your hard-earned money.  

  • Do your homework before visiting a new healthcare clinic or “medspa”. Understand what medical professionals may or may not be working with you at the facility, and consider their training and credentials. Check online for complaints. Be cautious regarding the benefits advertised for treatments, and consider speaking with your primary healthcare professional as a second opinion.  

  • Consider reporting concerns to the proper authorities. For deceptive advertising or similar claims, you may file a complaint with our office or with the FTC. For other health related claims, depending on the issue, you may wish to file a claim with Texas Health and Human Services or the Texas Medical Board or the licensing board for the type of professional you have concerns regarding.  

For more information on health and fitness scams, visit the FTC’s website