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Business - Scam Alert

Sunday, Jun. 21, 2009

Scam Alert: Phony cures for swine flu

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THE SCAM: Swine flu outbreak fears

HOW IT WORKS: Concerned over the surge of phony swine flu treatments hawked on the Internet, the Food and Drug Administration has ordered dozens of Web site operators to stop making fraudulent claims, leading to a drop in the number of scams. That hasn't stopped companies from trying to sell products that are patently fake. Some recent examples, include an ultraviolet light that purportedly destroys swine flu.

WHAT'S AT STAKE: Your money and your health. The FDA said such products could be dangerous to buyers.

HOW TO BEAT IT: Health care scams take in billions of dollars a year, so don't fall for those claims of miracle cures. If there was such a thing, everyone would be using it. The FDA has posted the unapproved products it's found at www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/h1n1flu

-- from air systems and nose sprays to "SilverCure" shampoo and more than two dozen dietary supplements.

For a look at past scams, go to www.modbee.com/business/scam.