Four ‘red flags’ to watch out for online when buying weight loss aids

Remember, you can verify any website using Free Website Scam Checker – Check a website by Get Safe Online.

And, if you are tempted by weight loss products then it’s always good to take five and think about the following:

1. How did you find out about the product?

2. Do you know anyone who it worked for or was it an out of the blue communication by email or on social, if it was this is a warning sign it could be a scam

Equally, money back guarantees, small print and costly subscriptions tying you in for months are also tactics used by criminals to get you to invest your money in their products. It’s highly likely you would never get your money back regardless of the product.

How to protect yourself from weight loss scams

● Look for all of the signs and signals above

● Gather all the facts

● Ask your friends and family

● Check the website and reviews, do they look legitimate. Remember not all reviews are genuine

● Ask an expert, like your doctor

Scambusters Mail bag

Question: I have recently seen an advert on social media offering me money for use of my bank account. This seems like a quick win, and I am really in need of the extra money. Do you think this is a scam?

This sounds like a money mule scam. Young people are increasingly being targeted by criminals who want to use their bank accounts. Criminals will use lots of mule accounts to make it harder for banks and police to track them down. Around six in 10 mules are under the age of 30. They can be recruited online and in person. By using mules, criminals try to ensure that the consequences hit the mule, instead of them. This is financial exploitation – both of the mule and of the original victim.

Mules usually get recruited because they get a cut of the stolen money. If you take money and get involved, this is money laundering. This is a serious criminal offence, with a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison for the worst offenders. Do not get involved unless you want to face serious consequences.