Found a deal on baby formula? It could be a scam, watchdog warns. What to know
Baby formula is scarce, and an online search for the essential item could put some parents at risk of getting scammed, according to the Better Business Bureau.
The watchdog group is warning consumers to be aware as scammers look to take advantage of the nationwide shortage of baby formula, which has worsened in the last few weeks.
The ruse may begin with an ad or social media post claiming to have formula available, according to the BBB’s website. The scammer may contact you via direct message with photos showing they have the much-needed item in stock. But don’t fall for it, the watchdog group warns.
You may be asked to pay using a digital wallet app like Venmo or Cash App, but the formula never arrives.
President Joe Biden is set to meet with manufacturers and retailers on Thursday, May 12, for “an update on efforts to make infant formula supply more available” to families, NBC News reported, citing a White House official. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration also said it is “doing everything in our power” to ensure there is enough product for parents who need it.
How to spot an online scam
So how can you avoid falling victim to an online scam? Experts said to look out for grammatical errors and misspellings, evidence of a brick and mortar address (or lack thereof) and “positive” reviews that appear to be copied and pasted from somewhere else.
Getting ghosted by the purported seller after your payment has been processed is also a tell-tale sign that you may be dealing with a scammer, the BBB said.
“The seller advertises on a social media site and is communicative until the payment is made,” according to the watchdog group. “Once the payment clears, they are unreachable.”
Experts also suggest checking out a business’s website before you buy anything, and make sure to pay with a credit card because they “provide more protection against fraud than other payment methods.“
This story was originally published May 12, 2022 at 1:49 PM with the headline "Found a deal on baby formula? It could be a scam, watchdog warns. What to know."