Jeanne

Yes, I agree… “If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is” is right!

Jeanne

Great advice! My motto has always been “if it sounds too good to be true…it usual is!”

I’m a big fan of that rule too.

Jeanne

Some scams are more sophisticated than others but I agree that it does get easier to smell a scam when you know what to look for. That’s why I asked permission to reprint this list here. I think it does an outstanding job of outlining some of the hallmark signs of scams.

I have written before (as I know you have) about various scams. What I really liked about this list from Lourdes Salvador and Linda Sepp is that it really seems to capture in a nutshell some of the classic signs to be on the lookout for… and I believe people really do need to be just that: “on the lookout”.

When it comes to health products and services, scammers specifically & intentionally target people who are very ill. This same group of people are particularly vulnerable.

Chronic pain and desire to get relief can sometimes border on sheer desperation for relief of symptoms. This sometimes results in people getting taken advantage of. It is much more difficult to take advantage of people who are on the lookout for signs of scams.

As I believe the items on this list are applicable to a wide range of conditions, I hope as many people as possible see these. It saddens me that there are so many companies preying on patients. Anything we can do to help each other avoid such pitfalls is time well spent in my book.

Jeanne

There are many companies that will claim an ingredient or combination of ingredients is “proprietary information”. There are many products with labeling that does not disclose information that I believe the public has a right to know.

I agree that people who are savvy can be taken advantage of when they are feeling such pain or desperation that they reach a point where they are willing to try almost anything. The individuals and companies who employ the tactics listed in this post know exactly what they are doing. These are their tried and true methods. The more awareness there is of the hallmark signs to look for with such scams, the less likely that people will be taken advantage of by those who prey on the sick and vulnerable.

Thanks, Jannie!

Jeanne

Hopefully lots of people will read this, as people who are normally just as smart and savvy as the rest of us can fall for these scams when emotionally vulnerable, wanting desperately to believe.

Thanks, Jeanne!
Jannie Funster´s last blog ..Like A bord On A Wire, 13 — Funny Typos

I exchanged some lovely messages with Lourdes and Linda and was thrilled to reprint this “Top 10″ list here. As you know, scams targeting chronically ill patients are a very sore spot for me!!

If it weren’t for your blog, I never would have spotted the original post that you reprinted. So a shout out to you was certainly in order.

Susie, I am blessed to have met you because I have learned so much from you and your site. Thank you for all that you do! (Pssst: Sometimes I think you are secretly Superwoman).

I am also grateful to have had this article serve as an opportunity to get acquainted with Lourdes and Linda, both of whom are delightful!

Jeanne
xoxo