It would be nice if you could lose weight simply by taking a pill, wearing a patch, or rubbing in a cream, but claims that you can lose weight without changing your habits just arent true. And some of these products could even hurt your health. Learn to recognize false claims in weight loss ads and false online stories about weight loss products.
Dishonest advertisers will say just about anything to get you to buy their weight loss products. Here are some of the false promises youll often see in weight loss ads:
Heres the truth:
Scammers place false stories online through fake news websites, blogs, banner ads, and social media to sell their weight loss products. For example, they create so-called news reports about how an ingredient like garcinia cambogia or gonji found in a diet pill is supposedly effective for weight loss. But theres no new discovery. The stories are false.
Know that
Using an electronic muscle stimulator alone wont work. You might have seen ads for electronic muscle stimulators claiming they will help you lose weight, or get rock-hard abs. But, according to the FDA, while these devices may temporarily strengthen, tone, or firm a muscle, they havent been shown to help you lose weight or get those six-pack abs.
If you decide to join a gym, make sure you know what youre agreeing to. Not all gym contracts are the same, so before you commit, read the contract and confirm that it includes everything the salesperson promised. Also find out if theres a cooling-off or trial period, and check out the cancellation policy. Do you get a refund if you cancel? You also can look for reviews online from other clients to help you decide if you want to join that particular gym.
Home exercise equipment can be a great way to shape up but only if you use it regularly. Some exercise equipment ads promise you can shape up and lose weight quickly and without much effort. The truth is that to get the benefits of exercise, you have to do the work. If you decide to buy exercise equipment for your home, first check out online reviews to see what other customers experiences have been. And find out the real cost of the equipment. Some companies advertise three easy payments of $49.99, but you have to consider taxes, shipping, and any subscription or other fees required to make the equipment work.
Free trial offers are often not free at all. Many people who have signed up for free trials for weight loss products have wound up paying a lot of money and have been billed for recurring shipments they didnt want. For more on phony free trials, read Getting In and Out of Free Trials, Auto-Renewals, and Negative Option Subscriptions.
The FDA has found tainted weight loss products. In recent years, the FDA has discovered hundreds of dietary supplements that contain potentially harmful drugs or other chemicals not listed on the product label. Many of these products are for weight loss and bodybuilding.
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The Truth Behind Weight Loss Ads | Consumer Advice
