Swine flu scams: Don't get taken

Shopping for a swine flu cure? Well, buyer beware, according to the FDA and the FTC, who issued a joint warning about fraudulent H1N1 flu products that claim to diagnose, prevent, mitigate, treat or cure the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. 

A quick Google search of “prevent swine flu” brought up a few questionable products, which included a $99 (plus shipping) complete flu detox package and a bargain emergency special offer of $9.95 (plus shipping and handling). 

The FDA and FTC warn consumers to carefully evaluate any products, including dietary supplements, food products, and any products presenting themselves as drugs, devices, or vaccines that have not been proven to be safe and effective for these uses.

The CDC has tips on staying healthy, which include basic preventative hygiene, like washing your hands vigorously for 20 seconds under warm running water before eating or preparing meals, after using the bathroom, after blowing your nose, and after other potential exposures to the flu virus. 

Second to hand washing is using an alcohol based hand sanitizer, like Purell, with an alcohol content of at least 60 percent. And, don’t stockpile the flu drugs, Tamiflu and Relenza.

Keep your family safe while shopping online for drugs and report any suspected fraudulent H1N1 (swine flu) products that you come across online.

And check back with Consumer Reports for updates.