An estimated £20 million is lost each year by around 200,000 people in the UK after buying ineffective 'miracle cure' slimming and health products, it has emerged today.
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) claims that on average each person loses £90 on these cures, with nearly 80 per cent of those affected being women.
As part of its scams awareness month the OFT is urging people to be aware of products that may not do what they claim to be able to.
Scammers often claim that the product is a 'scientific breakthrough' and is clinically proven following years of research. They also support their claims with false testimonials from satisfied customers and offers of a money-back guarantee.
To avoid wasting money on these scams, the OFT advises that people do not believe claims about products only available over the internet through mail order which contain a 'secret', 'special', 'foreign' or 'ancient' ingredient.
Testimonials from satisfied customers should not be taken as the only evidence that a product works.
Issuing the warning, Mike Haley, head of the OFT's scambusters team said: "Scammers exploit people's desperate hopes for a miracle cure to their health problem. Not only are the products a waste of money but they can be dangerous, containing untested ingredients.
"We urge everyone who sees a miracle health advert to stop, think and think again. Take medical advice from your doctor or pharmacist before you buy any medicinal product by mail order or over the web."
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