FOLLOWING SCHUMER'S URGING, FTC ANNOUNCES MAJOR CRACKDOWN ON H1N1 SCAMS PREYING ON FEARS AND WORRIES OF AMERICANS
Novemeber 16, 2009

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is embarking on a major crackdown on companies selling phony H1N1 remedies. As the problem of fake remedies grows worse, and concerns about the H1N1 flu increase, the FTC announced that they would take further enforcement action against ten companies that are peddling fake H1N1 remedies on-line. Last week, Schumer requested that the FTC act swiftly and aggressively to stop companies behind the wave of phony products claiming to cure and inoculate consumers against H1N1 being sold online. Schumer said that such products, in addition to costing consumers thousands of dollars with no tangible benefits, make consumers feel safe, but do not in fact provide any medical benefit. Products that claim to provide medical benefit or protection, but in fact do not, have profound public health implications because it may discourage people from being vaccinated and encourage them to take part in risky behavior. Furthermore, because the spread of H1N1 is limited as more people are vaccinated, the use of ineffective alternatives puts everyone at risk. Schumer said that preying on the fears of New Yorkers is a reprehensible practice that must immediately be stopped.
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