Online scammers prey on parents searching for baby formula
Nationwide shortages of baby formula have parents scrambling for options to feed their babies. Now, the Wisconsin Better Business Bureau is warning of online scams preying on desperate parents.
According to the 2021 BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report, online shopping scams are the riskiest.
The BBB says scammers are posting on social media sites that they have baby formula available, showing the potential buyer via chat or direct message photos of the available. The buyer makes a payment through a peer-topeer platform such as PayPal or Venmo, but the formula never arrives.
Baby formula shortage worsening
More than 40% of popular baby formula brands were sold out at retailers across the U.S. by the end of the first week of May, according to an analysis by Datasembly published May 10.
Shortages of some baby formulas emerged late last year but have worsened in the past several months, according to Datasembly.
“This issue has been compounded by supply chain challenges, product recalls and historic inflation,” Datasembly CEO Ben Reich said in a statement.
The country’s largest infant formula manufacturer, Abbott Nutrition, recalled batches of several formulas in mid-February. The recall was later expanded.
Lisa Schiller, spokeswoman with Wisconsin BBB, said because the baby formula shortage is worsening, and as scammers follow the news, there are bound to be victims in Wisconsin.
“Also, we know that many people simply don’t report,” Schiller said. “Because they don’t know where to report, how to report, or they just don’t take the time. Often scams are underreported for this very reason.”
Signs of a potential online purchase scam include:
Positive reviews on the website that have been copied from honest sites or created by scammers. Be aware that some review websites claim to be independent but are funded by scammers. Check BBB.org.
No indication of a brick-and-mortar address or the address shows on a Google map as a parking lot, residence or unrelated business than what is listed on the website.
Misspellings, grammatical errors or other descriptive language that is inconsistent with the product.
The seller advertises on a social media site and is communicative until the payment is made. Once the payment clears, they are unreachable.
The BBB is advising people to make a note of the website before ordering baby formula. Also, take a screenshot of the item ordered, in case the website disappears, or a different item is received in the mail than what was advertised.
What to do if you are scammed
Report suspected online shopping fraud to: Better Business Bureau — file a complaint at BBB.org or report a scam at BBB.org/scamtracker.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) — file a complaint at reportfraud.ftc.gov or call 877-FTC-Help.
National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center — report intellectual property and counterfeiting violations to iprcenter.gov/referral/view.
Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) — file a complaint at ic3.gov/complaint.
Facebook — report ads that violate Facebook’s policies by clicking the ●●● next to an ad to go to facebook.com/business/help.
Instagram — report copyright infringement or other policy violations at help.instagram.com.
PayPal — call 888-221-1161 to speak with a live person instead of using an automated system if you receive an item that is not as advertised.
Credit card company — Call the phone number on the back of the credit card to report the fraud and request a refund.