Weight-loss products promising miraculous results? Be careful of 'New Year, New You' scams

It’s the new year and with that comes weight-loss scams promising to miraculously melt away the pounds – without exercise or a special diet. 

At the start of the new year, consumers hear a lot of “new year, new you” advertising around health and fitness products, according to the Federal Trade Commission. 

But criminals also like to follow the latest trends and seasons, so some of these promotions are just scams out to get your money. 

Too good to be true? It's likely a scam

Scammers often post ads online for things like weight loss pills, patches, or creams. The ads sometimes look like news reports about a “miraculous” new product to help you lose weight without dieting or exercising – except they won’t. The scammers also may steal logos from real news organizations to make their posts seem more real, the FTC said in an alert. 

Consumers often get pulled into the advertisements that show incredible results, said Melanie McGovern, spokeswoman for the Better Business Bureau. 

“People want to believe a product is going to work,” McGovern told USA TODAY. Consumers see testimonials on a website or social media and don’t do any research on the product, she said. 

The BBB suggests doing separate research on the product and consulting with your doctor, she said. Go on a search engine and type in the name of the product and “review” or “scam” to see what pops up. 

The endorsements for these products a lot of times aren’t real, McGovern said. 

“They could be AI-generated or they could be just somebody at a company writing a positive endorsement of a product that they're selling,” she said. 

The same goes for the dramatic “before” and “after” pictures, said the FTC: Scammers often use stock or altered photographs, not photos of people who used what they’re trying to sell you. 

How to spot false promises

Here are some tips from the FTC on how to spot false promises: 

• If someone says you don’t have to watch what you eat to lose weight, that’s a scam. 
• If someone says using their product helps you lose weight permanently, that’s a scam. 
• If someone tells you that, to lose weight, all you have to do is take their pill, that’s a scam. 
• If someone promises that you can lose 30 pounds in 30 days, that’s a scam. 
• If anyone says their product works for everyone, that’s a scam. 

Avoid fraud:Make these 5 New Year's resolutions to avoid scams this year

More ways to spot weight-loss scams

Here’s some additional tips from the BBB on how to spot the weight-loss scams:  

• Don't be quick to trust endorsements. Many scammers use pictures of celebrities, TV show mentions, or well-known company logos to gain consumers' trust without those companies or individual's permission. Always research the company before doing business with them, no matter who supposedly endorses their product.   
• Check a product's ingredients with the FDA. Be suspicious of taking special pills, powders, or herbs.Some products have been recalled for containing ingredients with potentially dangerous effects. Check the list of public notifications from the FDA regarding potentially harmful weight loss products.   
• Think twice if there's no ingredient list. Some companies have been accused of not advertising certain ingredients that can come with harmful side effects or mix adversely with prescription drugs.   
• Be wary of free trial offers, and before signing up, understand all the terms and conditions. These deals can become "subscription traps" that hook consumers into expensive shipments of products they did not agree to buy. Before clicking "check out" or "purchase," make sure the cart only includes the items you wish to purchase and does not include signing up for a subscription unless this is an option you want. Be cautious of any contract that takes payment from your credit card until you cancel.   
• When participating in online forums and chat rooms focused on weight loss and fitness topics, be wary of individuals pushing products they claim will help quickly reach goals.   
• Be realistic about your fitness goals. It's hard work to lose weight. Find a program you can stick with, preferably one that you enjoy. Does a weight loss plan require special foods? Can you cancel if you move or find that the program doesn't meet your needs? If you need help, ask your doctor for suggestions.   
• Research the company with BBB.org before purchasing. Read reviews about the company to see if there are any complaints alleging that it's a scam.   

Betty Lin-Fisher is a consumer reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] or follow her on X, Facebook or Instagram @blinfisher. Sign up for our free The Daily Money newsletter, which will include consumer news on Fridays, here.