Avoid Baby Formula Scammers Online

Not enough baby formula means plenty of scammers.

Scammers exploiting the high demand for baby formula have sunk to new lows. They’re popping up online and tricking desperate parents and caregivers into paying steep prices for formula that never arrives. Before you order from an unfamiliar online store, follow this advice from FTC on how to spot a scam:

1. Check out the company. Look up the company or product by typing its name in a search engine with terms  like “review,” “complaint,” or “scam.” See what other people have to say about it.

2. Consider how you pay. Credit cards often give you the strongest protections, so you can sometimes get your money back if you ordered something but didn’t get it. But anyone who demands payment by gift card, money transfer, or cryptocurrency is a scammer.

Know your rights.

When you shop online, sellers are supposed to ship your order within the time stated in their ads, or within 30 days if the ads don’t give a time. If a seller can’t ship within the promised time, it has to give you a revised shipping date, with the chance to either cancel your order for a full refund or accept the new shipping date.

Search for local resources.

Call your pediatrician to see if they have formula in stock. Pediatricians often get samples of different formulas and may be able to help you. If you are a participant in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition assistance program, contact your local office to find formula.

TopLine is committed to arming you with the tools and information you need to protect yourself. For more information and additional financial safety tips, please click here to visit our website.