Scams involving weight loss products such as liposuction pills and pills have tripled since the beginning of the year, a major bank has warned.
Santander said there had been a 286% surge since January in customers reporting their money had been stolen by scammers offering fake fat loss products.
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The bank is warning Britons not to buy weight loss drugs or pills online from “unverified sellers”, which help burn fat by suppressing appetite.
Not only are you at risk of having your cash stolen, but using counterfeit products that are untested and contain harmful ingredients can have serious health implications.
A total of £3,742 was reported stolen from Santander customers trying to buy weight loss products, including liposuction pills, pills and lipolysis products, between July and September this year.
This represents a massive 416% increase on the £724 reported between January and March, and a 143% increase on the £1,536 reported between April and June.
Around 1.5 million people are now taking weight loss drugs since they were launched on the NHS for obese people in June, but most are buying them privately.
“We know that scammers are adept at capitalizing on the latest consumer demand, but this data points to a particularly dark tactic of exploiting people’s anxieties and health concerns, with scams relating to weight loss products, supplements and medicines surging in recent months,” said Michelle Pilsworth, Head of Fraud at Santander UK. spoke to the Sun.
“These scams affect both men and women and almost all occur through social media and messaging apps.
“Our message is clear: If a deal seems too good to be true, it almost certainly is, and buying from unverified sellers online can come with serious financial, health and personal costs,” she added.
It comes as seizures of illicit fat intake supplies are on the rise and expected to surge further following a text price increase last month.
Last week it emerged that suspicious websites and social media accounts were pretending to sell the upcoming Jab Retatrutide. ‘Godzilla’ of the fat jab ‘Triple G’ clinical trials not yet completed.
Mark Tierney, CEO of Stop Scams UK, said: “It’s appalling that scammers are taking advantage of people’s efforts to improve their health.
“The surge in scams involving weight loss products shows how quickly criminals adapt to trends and how ruthless they are in exploiting them.”
Santander also reported a surge in scams involving fake beauty products and services, including botox, fillers, collagen injections and perfume, between April and June.
The bank said this was due to criminals targeting consumers wanting to “get ready for summer”.
How to spot a fake jab
With the rise of scams involving fat loss injections and pills, there are a few things you can do to protect yourself.
“There are numerous online pharmacies offering private prescriptions for weight loss, such as Wegovy and Mounjaro, but you should take the time to do your research before proceeding and only use legitimate providers,” which one says? Nutritionist Shefali Ross.
If you’re not sure if a seller is legitimate, you can use the General Pharmaceutical Council’s guide to check if the pharmacy is registered and safe.
Stay away from sellers who advertise their products on social media, especially ones that seem too good to be true.
“It’s never worth risking your health by purchasing from unauthorized sources, especially those advertised on social media.
“It may feel like you’re getting a bargain, but it can actually be dangerous or you may be getting a counterfeit product that hasn’t been properly tested for safety,” adds Loth.
Santander’s Ms Pilsworth says scammers often use vague phrases such as “weight loss pen”, “metabolism booster” or “skinny jab” to confuse buyers into believing they are legitimate products that do not require a prescription.
For general beauty purchases, be wary of sellers who offer sold out items or offer suspiciously low prices.
“Avoid paying by bank transfer. Instead, use a payment method such as PayPal, which may offer some protection if the product does not arrive.”
Supermarket sales were hit earlier this year by a surge in people eating fattening foods, with grocery sales reported to be down 0.4% on the previous year, according to figures from Kantar.
Meanwhile, Greggs said sausage rolls and pastries could shrink in size as people eat less due to the fat jab.
How to Protect Yourself from Scams
Keeping these tips in mind can help you avoid getting caught up in a scam.
- First, remember that if something seems too good to be true, it usually is.
- The check brand is “verified” on our Facebook and Twitter pages. This means that the company will have a blue checkmark on their profile.
- Look for grammar and spelling errors. Scammers are notoriously bad at using proper English. If you receive a message from a “friend” announcing a prize, consider whether the message is written in your friend’s typical style.
- If you’re asked to click a URL, hovering your mouse over the link will display the address leading to that address. Does this look like a real address?
- To really be safe, don’t click on any unwanted links in messages, even if they appear to come from a trusted contact.
- Be careful when opening email attachments. Scammers are increasingly attaching files (usually PDFs or spreadsheets) that contain dangerous malware.
- If you receive a suspicious message, report it to the company, block the sender, and delete it.
- If you think you have been scammed, report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or Online Fraud Reporting Tool.
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