Stay Safe from Weight-Loss Drug Scams

Quick Smiles:

• Awareness campaigns are helping protect consumers from fake weight-loss products.
• Experts are offering actionable tips to avoid online scams.
• Vigilance is empowering people to make safe, healthy choices for the new year.

As weight-loss medications become more popular, scams are also on the rise, prompting new warnings from consumer protection groups. Fraudulent ads, celebrity deepfakes, and fake online pharmacies are targeting people looking to improve their health goals this season.

The Better Business Bureau has issued a timely alert, revealing scammers are using deceptive tactics—including AI-generated videos featuring celebrities—to promote products that are not approved by the FDA. These scams are especially prevalent as many pursue New Year’s fitness resolutions.

Some ads falsely claim endorsements from well-known figures like Oprah Winfrey, using deepfake videos that are not connected to the celebrities. One widespread scheme involved a “pink salt” weight-loss drink called Lipomax, with fake ads leading consumers to spend hundreds of dollars on products that never arrived.

“Every week, my lawyers and I are playing whack-a-mole with fake AI videos of me selling everything from gummies to pink salt,” wrote Oprah Winfrey in 2025. “If you see an ad with my face on a ‘PRODUCT,’ it’s fake.”

The Better Business Bureau also reports scams involving urgent messages or calls claiming you qualify for a weight-loss prescription. These contacts aim to lure individuals onto fraudulent websites, sometimes demanding large payments and threatening collection agencies if fees go unpaid.

To stay safe, experts recommend verifying that a pharmacy is legitimate by checking resources like the FDA website or Safe Pharmacy. As a rule, FDA-approved GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro are available as injections, so be cautious if you encounter oral liquids or patches being advertised.

Always consult a trusted healthcare professional before starting any new medication, and make sure all ingredients are safe and FDA-approved before making a purchase.

Stay smart, stay safe, and continue your journey toward a healthier, happier you!

Source