The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has sent warning letters to 20 more marketers warning them to stop making unsubstantiated claims that their products and therapies can prevent or treat COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. This is the ninth set of warning letters the FTC has announced as part of its ongoing efforts to protect consumers from alleged health-related COVID-19 scams. In all, the Commission has now sent similar letters to more than 330 companies and individuals.
The letters targeted the following products and treatments:
- Bead bracelets
- Copper water bottles
- Fitness classes and personal training
- Indoor tanning, red light therapy and ultraviolet light therapy
- Intravenous vitamin C infusions and laser therapy
- Ozone and stem cell therapy
- Supplements
- Water filtration systems
The FTC stated that currently there is no scientific evidence that these products or services can prevent or treat the disease.
The letters stated that the COVID-19 efficacy claims made by the marketers are unsubstantiated because they are not supported by scientific evidence and therefore violate the FTC Act. The letters advised the recipients to immediately stop making all claims that their products can prevent or treat COVID-19, and to notify the Commission within 48 hours about the specific actions they have taken to address its concerns.
The letters also noted that if the false claims do not cease, the Commission may seek a federal court injunction and an order requiring money to be refunded to consumers.