How do I report a health or medical scam?
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the FDA MedWatch (US) for bogus health products. In the UK, report to Action Fraud and to the MHRA's yellow card scheme.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
Health scams range from fake miracle cures and unlicensed supplements to fraudulent health insurance and counterfeit medicines. They are particularly dangerous because they can cause people to delay legitimate medical treatment. Multiple agencies handle different aspects of this category.
In the US, the FTC has authority over deceptive health advertising and supplement marketing. File at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. For counterfeit or unlicensed medicines, medical devices, and fraudulent COVID products, report to the FDA at MedWatch via fda.gov/safety/medwatch. The FDA can take swift action against products posing immediate health risks. For fraudulent health insurance, report to your state insurance commissioner and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) if Medicare or Medicaid is involved.
In the UK, report to Action Fraud for financial fraud. For unlicensed medicines, counterfeit supplements, or fraudulent medical devices, report to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) via its yellow card scheme at yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk. The MHRA can remove products from sale and prosecute companies.
If you paid for a health product or service that was not delivered or was fraudulent, contact your card issuer for a chargeback. For insurance fraud, also report to the Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED) in the UK.
Common red flags
- A product claimed to cure, prevent, or treat a condition that medical science cannot reliably address
- The only way to buy the product was directly from the seller, not through pharmacies
- Testimonials were the only evidence provided and could not be independently verified
- The product pricing was much lower than comparable licensed medicines
- You were required to sign up for a continuing subscription to access health advice
- A practitioner recommended treatments not approved by any regulatory body
What to do now
- Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or Action Fraud (UK)
- Report unlicensed health products to the FDA MedWatch or MHRA
- Contact your card issuer for a chargeback if you paid for a fraudulent product
- Consult a qualified medical professional if you have taken an unlicensed product
- Report health insurance fraud to your state insurance commissioner
- Read /scams/health-medical-scams for common patterns
Frequently asked questions
What if I took an unlicensed supplement and had a bad reaction?
Seek medical attention first. Then report to the FDA MedWatch (US) or MHRA Yellow Card (UK) with details of the product. These reports feed into pharmacovigilance systems that monitor safety signals.
Are all supplements sold online potentially dangerous?
Not all. But supplements are less tightly regulated than medicines in most countries, meaning quality and ingredient accuracy vary widely. Purchase from reputable, verifiable suppliers and consult a doctor if unsure.