KTNV (Las Vegas) – Buying medication online may seem convenient, but experts warn it can come with serious and even dangerous consequences.
Counterfeit prescription drug scams are on the rise, and online sales are making it harder than ever for consumers to tell what’s real and what’s not. These scams don’t just cost people money; they can also put their health at serious risk.
Frank Teruel, a chief financial officer with Arkose Labs, tracks consumer and cyber scams. He says counterfeit prescription drug scams are a growing problem, fueled largely by fake ads on social media platforms like TikTok.
“The National Board of Pharmacy says about 90% of online pharmacy websites are illegal,” Teruel said.
Teruel explains that many of these websites look legitimate, but the medications they sell can be improperly made, contaminated, or not contain the correct drug at all.
“Why is it a problem?” Teruel said. “Because it’s easy access, and it’s way cheaper than normal.”
Unlike other scams, Teruel says these schemes put more than just your wallet at risk.
“This is different because you’re risking your health,” he said.
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