Florida Consumer E-Newsletter
November 2009
Charles H. Bronson
Commissioner
A Message from the Commissioner
Dear Friends:
On October 24th, 2009 President Obama signed a proclamation declaring the 2009 H1N1 flu epidemic a “National Emergency”, helping to ensure the best possible care for patients affected by the disease as 48 states are reporting widespread influenza activity. This many reports of widespread activity at this time of year are unprecedented during seasonal flu. In fact, almost all of the influenza viruses identified since August 30th have been confirmed to be 2009 H1N1 influenza viruses.
According to the CDC, more than 22 million Americans have been infected resulting in 3,900 deaths and approximately 98,000 hospitalizations. With the possibility of the flu lasting until May and vaccine supplies currently lagging well behind demand, consumers are actively seeking products that will protect them from the virus. This heightened public concern is viewed by many scam artists as an opportunity and it is for this reason that we have dedicated this month’s Florida Consumer E-Newsletter to H1N1 flu scams. Whether it is a new scam or just a newer version of an older scam, remember… consumer education is the best defense against fraud and deception!
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is here for you – for more information, visit our website at www.800helpfla.com, or call our Consumer Assistance Center. They will answer almost any question you may have or direct you to the best resource for assistance. If you are calling within Florida simply dial 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352), outside of Florida 850-488-2221, or en Español 1-800-FL-AYUDA (352-9832).
Sincerely,
Hand washing, avoiding contact with those infected, and getting the H1N1 flu vaccine are some of the most common preventative measures that health officials are encouraging the general public to employ during this flu season. But, using a little common sense may be equally as important with scam artists already peddling large numbers of fraudulent H1N1 related products. Just as they have been known to do when a “State of Emergency” has existed in the past, scammers are currently working overtime to capitalize on consumers’ perceived vulnerability.
One of the more disconcerting scams that’s been reported involves the sale of Tamiflu pills on the internet. While this medication does not prevent the H1N1 flu, it has been found to relieve the symptoms and shorten the duration of the flu. Consumers should be aware that Tamiflu is not an “over-the-counter” medication. Anyone who offers to provide it to consumers without a prescription, online or otherwise, is doing so illegally. The U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has reported purchasing Tamiflu pills that were nothing more than Tylenol and talc. In order to ensure that you are actually getting Tamiflu, consumers should present their prescriptions only to a licensed pharmacy.
In an attempt to prey on the fears of consumers, many manufacturers have been making fraudulent claims that shampoos, supplements, face masks, hand sprays, and other products offer a defense against the 2009 H1N1 flu virus. The FDA has launched an aggressive campaign to protect consumers by threatening manufacturers with criminal prosecution for failing to remove either the claim or the product. Thus far, more than 80% of the manufacturers contacted have complied. The FDA has also published a Fraudulent 2009 H1N1 Influenza Products List at www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/h1n1flu/. This list is intended to alert consumers about websites that are or were illegally marketing unapproved, uncleared, or unauthorized products in relation to the 2009 H1N1 flu virus.
Finally, it wouldn’t seem like a true national crisis without a good phishing scam. Consumers should beware of these emails that are designed to steal their personal information. The email will have a subject line related to the swine flu and typically contain a link to a phishing website or an attachment that will download malicious code onto the victim’s computer. These should be immediately deleted from your inbox. Remember, stay safe and healthy. If you have additional questions regarding the 2009 H1N1 flu virus, call 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will direct you to the appropriate resource.
Additional Resources
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The links below are for your information only. The goal of the Division of Consumer Services is to provide additional information to consumers. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services does not review or confirm these sites for accuracy.
US Department of Health and Human Services
This list is intended to alert consumers about Web sites that are or were illegally marketing unapproved, uncleared, or unauthorized products in relation to the 2009 H1N1 Flu Virus. Note that until evidence to the contrary is presented to FDA, the owner of the listed Web site is considered responsible for promoting the unapproved, uncleared, or unauthorized products.
Florida Department of Health
H1N1 Flu information is updated daily. For your convenience, the most recent information can be found at the beginning of each topic listing.
Savvy Consumer Blog - National Consumer's League
With the increasing need for H1N1 flu vaccinations, the popularity of H1N1-related flu scams has also increased. More than 75 Web sites have been found selling fraudulent products claiming to diagnose, prevent, or treat H1N1, a reminder that we need to be careful to check that all products are Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved.
