Health Fraud Awareness Quiz

True or False?

1. Products that promise to do it all, such as cure cancer, shrink tumours and treat diabetes often do nothing. Answer

2. Natural and herbal remedies must be safe. Answer

3. Remedies that have been used for hundreds of years are always effective. Answer

4. Web sites that offer products that claim to be a “scientific breakthrough” must be the latest, revolutionary treatment available. Answer

5. A money-back guarantee is a sign of confidence when buying health products online. Answer

6. If a Web site has numerous “success stories” and “patient testimonials” of how the product worked for other people, then it must work. Answer

7. Heavy technical jargon and claims of incredible test results should be taken with a grain of salt. Answer

8. A professional looking Web site probably means the company is legitimate. Answer

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Answers

Question 1

True. Serious diseases like cancer and diabetes are very complex. A product that claims it can cure all cancers, let alone a number of diseases is often a telltale sign that the product will over- promise and under-deliver. Think twice before buying a product that claims it can do it all. Always talk to a health care professional before trying any new treatment. Next question

Question 2

False. Scammers know people who are searching online for health information are often looking for alternative or natural remedies. Beware, “natural” doesn’t mean proven, effective or safe. Always talk to a health care professional before trying any new treatment. Next question

Question 3

False. Consumers sometimes put more faith in remedies that have allegedly stood the test of time. However, many of these “time-honoured” remedies have never been proven to be effective or safe. Scammers will even offer “new and improved” versions of ancient remedies, but beware, this is just a new scam masquerading as ancient remedies. Beware as these scams can cheat you of time, money and most importantly, your health. Be sceptical and always talk to a health care professional before trying any new treatment. Next question

Question 4

False. If the first and only place you learn about a new cancer treatment is through a sales pitch on the Internet, be suspicious. Scammers load their sites full of confusing, technical medical terms to make you think they know what they are talking about. Ads that are long on technical jargon may be short on proof. Look for alternative independent, credible sources of information before you buy, and always talk to a health care professional before trying any new treatment. Next question

Question 5

False. Scammers know that promising a money-back guarantee can make consumers think the product is guaranteed to work - not true! A money-back guarantee is no proof that a cancer treatment works or that you will even get your money back if you are unsatisfied. Always talk to a health care professional before trying any new treatment. Next question

Question 6

False. There’s no guarantee that “John Smith of Hometown, Canada” has achieved any results - or is even a real person! The Competition Bureau has challenged companies who use testimonials that were not independent. Scammers want you to believe that if the product has worked for other people, it could work for you too. Be sceptical and talk to your health care professional. Next question

Question 7

True. Scammers know that savvy consumers want proof that a miracle product works - sometimes they’ll even make up clinical tests to make their claims appear more credible. Just because a Web site says a product has been extensively tested, there’s no way to know under what conditions it may have been tested - or if it really has been tested. Even though it may sound credible, always double check the sources of the information you find online and discuss any new treatment with a health care professional. The Competition Act requires marketers to conduct proper and adequate tests before making any claims as to the efficacy and performance of their product. Next question

Question 8

False. You can’t judge a book by its cover and the same goes for Web sites. While their site may look professional, don’t let that fool you. An impressive Web site is no guarantee there is a legitimate business behind it. Always talk to a health care professional before trying any new treatment.

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