Introduction to Weight Loss Scams:
Weight loss and a healthy lifestyle have been in trend for quite some time now. With the models and celebrities setting up new trends every day, it has become practically impossible to keep up with the ideal body type. As it is a common habit of people to opt for faster ways for desired results, scammers have a new industry to target. With clever marketing tricks and just the right convincing power, these scammers are able to trick hundreds of people every single day. These scammers use eye-catching phrases such as ‘clinically proven method for fat burning’, ‘laboratory tested’ etc. The usage of words such as scientifically proven, laboratory tested, etc. has proven to instill trust among the customers for the product. These products are not only a waste of money but a waste of time as well. We must not fall for such illogical scams.
Common Warning Signs of Weight Loss Scams:
Here are some of the common warning signs of weight loss scams that many of you might have seen somewhere or the other.
- Random Percentages used
In order to create an eye-catching advertisement, these manufacturers make use of random percentages in their taglines. In the supermarkets, board hoardings, or television and radio advertisements, you might have heard lines such as “…burns fat 30% faster….” or “… burn 35% more calories… “ etc. What you have to understand is that all these lines have no base or origin to recheck the reality of these numbers. For example, if a company is claiming to burn 35% more calories, you must check on what basis these numbers are provided. If there is no mention of actual study given, beware! It is a scam. - Unrelated Studies
In order to make the products more believable, these manufacturers go to any extent. Many of the diet product manufacturers state on their products that further information and details of the studies are on their website. When we check their website, there will be a very long list of studies that are claimed to be performed for the product. Unfortunately, this claim is also not true. In an attempt to make the customer think that they have actually performed studies, these scammers list studies that are not related to the product. We often tend to believe that the product is reputed without going through the studies and this is where we get scammed. If the list of studies is too long, do not trust the manufacturer. - The Word “Significant” in advertisements
The word significant has a very different meaning in the Scientific term as compared to how we use it in our day-to-day lives. If the studies conducted show even a fraction of the result wanted, scientists would term the discovery as significant. However, that is not how we use the word every day. This is yet another red flag that you must be cautious of.
How to Avoid Weight Loss Scams?
- Use the number or email address given in the contact section and ask the manufacturer for more details. If they fail to meet your requirements, steer clear of the product.
- Cross-check the product with your dietician or doctor for more details. IF the product is not something they would advise, immediately consider it as a scam.
- Opt for herbal supplements that are listed on a legitimate website instead of going for such advertisements.