🔗 Share this article Fraudsters' Fake Goods 'Could Cause Serious Damage' You've heard and read so much regarding the use of slimming jabs to get slim, it feels like the moment has come to try them out ahead of the holiday period. The problem is expense. Yet it appears alternatives exist instead of obtaining a doctor's script and visiting the chemist. An SMS arrives providing a URL to a website with more affordable drugs – and with no need to go through official channels. And you saw a similar ad on social media the other day, so you decide to go for it. The problem is these ads are almost certainly scams. In the best-case scenario, you will be sent nothing and forfeit any funds you spent. At worst, you receive a counterfeit item, containing unspecified components which may result in serious medical issues. The widespread use of authentic slimming drugs has resulted in a increase in fake goods hitting the market and deceptive practices set up to merely steal consumers' cash. Health authorities have advised avoiding purchasing such unlawful slimming medications without a prescription from aesthetic clinics, fake pharmacy websites or through social media, stating they could contain “harmful substances and additional components that could cause genuine injury”. Recent statistics from a major retail bank show a significant surge in the number of clients who have been impacted by the fraud. The bank says, the amount of money stolen through scams involving slimming jabs, pens, tablets and lipid-reducing solutions between July and September this year, was over twice the overall amount lost in the previous three months. Each incident typically sets back sufferers £120, reports indicate. “Fraudsters are actively exploiting people’s insecurities and health concerns, with such frauds soaring in recent months,” notes a bank’s head of fraud. What it looks like Most occur on communication platforms and social networks. Across platforms, an account may imitate the company that you seek, but you'll often notice slight variations in text or brand marks. The messages or posts will often use pressure-inducing language such as “time-sensitive deal”, “exclusive deal” or “free giveaway”. With the cost of certain authentic slimming injections, has increased of late, the fraudsters will price their “product” more cheaply. “Purchasing from unverified sellers online can come at a serious monetary, health-related and emotional cost,” warns the security specialist. Recommended Actions Like any deceptive scheme, the old adage applies: should something seem overly advantageous, it likely isn't genuine. Medical authorities have cautioned people to be extremely cautious when purchasing medications online. These products must solely be acquired from a licensed chemist with a valid script provided by a healthcare professional, they advise. If sourced elsewhere, they can present significant dangers to health. Fraudsters can go to great lengths to make their site or social media page appear completely genuine. Should they state to be an online pharmacy located within the UK, it's possible to verify the website of the pharmaceutical regulatory body to confirm this is properly registered.