Be wary. Question what you see or hear in ads or on the internet. Newspapers, magazines, radio, and TV stations aren't obligated to make sure the claims in their ads 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 old 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 the same sales tricks. Look for red flags in ads or promotional material that:
- Promise a quick or painless cure
- Claim the product is made from a special, secret, or ancient formula
- Offer products and services only by mail or from one company
- Use statements or unproven case histories from so-called satisfied patients
- Claim to be a cure for a wide range of ailments
- Claim to cure a disease (such as arthritis or Alzheimer's disease) that hasn't been cured by medical science
- 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 Administration protects the public by assuring the safety of prescription drugs, biological products, medical devices, food, cosmetics, and radiation-emitting products. If you have questions about a product, talk to your doctor. Getting the facts about health care products can help protect you from health scams.
The
National Institute on Aging
(NIA), one of the 27 Institutes and Centers of the National Institute of Health (NIH) leads a broad scientific effort to understand the nature of aging and to extend the healthy, active years of life. In 1974, Congress granted authority to form NIA to provide leadership in aging research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs relevant to aging and older people.