`Dot Con' Artists Cast a Wide Net

FDA Consumer, Jan, 2001 by John Henkel

It wasn't long ago when con artists mainly used telephones and the U.S. mail to push their shady schemes. But now these scammers have taken to the Internet, and the Federal Trade Commission says, "Beware!" To help consumers identify and report bogus online ploys, the FTC has created a Web site called "Top Ten Dot Cons" that gives helpful advice on how to know when you are being flimflammed. For example, the site lists medical conditions that often attract health fraud schemes--cancer, AIDS and arthritis, to name a few--and explains some of the ploys con artists use to hook unsuspecting consumers. The site then suggests legitimate, reliable sources of information. Among other scams featured on the site are travel, pyramid schemes, investments and business opportunities. To get a heads-up on con jobs, go to www.ftc.gov/bcp/ conline/edcams/dotcon.

John Henkel is a member of FDA's Web management staff.