How the scam works
The FDA says crooks are making calls to people who purchase medications online and telling them that buying pills online is illegal. Then they threaten the caller, saying that failure to pay a fine will result in an arrest, deportation or physical harm.
Some scammers even search the Internet to find the names of FDA employees. Philip Walsky, special agent in charge at FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations, says some of the scammers have a “veneer of legitimacy.”
In some cases, victims feel scared enough to wire money to the criminal or reveal vital personal information that can lead to identity theft.
Take the proper precautions
While law enforcement officials are working to catch these scammers, they are hard to find. Many live overseas and move around to avoid detection. The FDA believes this kind of scam will continue and is working to education the public.
Here are a few safety tips:
Hang up if the call seems odd to you
If your radar tells you something is wrong, it probably is. Walsky says consumers should hang up the phone immediately if they suspect a scammer is on the other end of the line.
FDA officials won’t demand money
No federal official will ever contact a consumer by phone and demand money or any other form of payment, and they certainly wouldn’t threaten to hurt you, Walsky says. If you hear any of these threats, you know it’s a scam.
Find trustworthy sites
In some cases, the crooks are getting client information from sites that are selling rouge medications. To ensure your identity is safe, use a reputable online facilitator to purchase prescription medication.
eDrugstore.com has written several posts to help customers find legitimate prescription sites. Many of the tips offered by eDrugstore.com coincide with the FDA’s tips to find a trustworthy site. Those tips including making sure the prescription website:
- Has a physical street address in the U.S.
- Is licensed by the state board of pharmacies where the website is operating.
- Has a licensed pharmacist available to answer your questions.
- Requires a prescription from a licensed health care professional for prescription medicines.
- Provides contact information.
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