Beware of beauty product scams! We are all vulnerable to being tricked, but somehow when it comes to products that promise to make us look young and beautiful, we close our eyes to common sense. Check out this website to get just a taste of how pervasive the beauty product scam problem is – http://www.ripoffreport.com/c/583/stores/beauty-products.
Marketers of so-called legit wrinkle creams are engaging in something very much like a scam. The FDA insists that nothing sold as a cosmetic can change the structure of your skin; only prescription medicines that have been double blind tested for effectiveness on human subjects can make those claims. (It’s why most skincare product marketing makes it a point to promise only that the appearance of your skin will change.)
Sure, you could read that fine print—if you could find your reading glasses, or remember which key activates your computer’s zoom function. But the scammers don’t want you to so they make the small print really small—6-point Arial—plus it’s in pale gray on white, which makes it nearly invisible. So it looks totally inconsequential compared to all the exciting capital letters urging you to sign up for your free trial “RIGHT NOW” because “today is the last day” and “supplies are limited!”
According to Blogs.naturalnews.com…
If You Find Something Suspicious
If, even after all your attempts to make a wise purchase, you still come across a questionable product, consider the following:
- Before opening the product, carefully inspect the packaging. Does it look authentic? A counterfeit product might be packaged in less expensive material. It might also have spelling errors.
- Smell it. Does it smell bad—or at least different than you would expect?
- Check the expiration date. You can call the brand to determine when the item was made (they’ll ask you to share the bar code numbers). You can also check the company’s website; there might be a way to determine the production date via an online tool.
Take Action
Did you become a victim of an online scam? Did you buy something that wasn’t authentic? Do you suspect the counterfeit product contains harmful ingredients?
Take action right away!
- Contact the seller. A reputable company will offer a refund or exchange.
- If you are unable to secure a refund on your own after become a victim of internet fraud (or don’t want to waste any more time with the troublemakers!), contact eConsumerServices. Retrieving funds from online scammers is their specialty.
- Let the real manufacturer know about the scammer.
- Report the faulty seller to the Food and Drug Administration. They are responsible for keeping an eye on consumer goods.
- File a claim with the Better Business Bureau.
- Let other bargain hunters know about the scam. Look for beauty blogs or forums where you can raise your concerns.
Proceed cautiously on your quest for budget-friendly beauty. Not all sellers are scammers, but you still need to be on your guard.