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It\u2019s that time of year when many people look to lose some weight as part of their New Year\u2019s resolutions. Scammers are aware of this, too, and are waiting to take advantage.<\/p>\n
In 2024, people lost $12.5 billion to scammers, according to the Federal Trade Commission.<\/p>\n
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks<\/a>]<\/p>\n \u201cIt can be tough to lose weight, but everyone wants to do it and be more fit, so these scammers appeal to that,\u201d Sheri Sword, Vice President of Communications for the Miami Valley\u2019s Better Business Bureau, said.<\/p>\n Sword added that scammers know people want to lose weight this time of year and are ready to take advantage. If you\u2019re already researching weight loss online, she added that \u201cit\u2019s almost like big brother is watching.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd all (of the) sudden, you get all these ads and these pop-ups coming up,\u201d she said. \u201cYou want to be careful, because scammers use those ads to lure you into their schemes.\u201d<\/p>\n TRENDING STORIES:<\/p>\n Now, some companies are using artificial intelligence (AI) celebrities to sell their products.<\/p>\n New Center 7\u2019s Consumer Reporter, Xavier Herhsovitz, found an advertisement on Instagram that used an AI version of Oprah Winfrey promoting a product aimed at getting rid of belly fat.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is very easy for a scammer to make it look like someone\u2019s endorsing it when they\u2019re really not,\u201d Sword said. \u201cSo be careful and really check it out before you buy.\u201d<\/p>\n With so many companies offering access to GLP-1s online, Sword added that shoppers need to be especially cautious with those.<\/p>\n Sword advised that if a shopper comes across a supplement or program that they\u2019re interested in, they can research the company with the Better Business Bureau here<\/a>.<\/p>\n