Con-artists are known to pounce at any opportunity to make money and exploit a situation of public concern to their benefit. The H1N1 Flu is no exception. Scammers are marketing products claiming to prevent infection, lessen the effects of the illness, or cure the virus. No matter what the claims, falling victim could prove dangerous.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) & The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a joint warning letter to web sites marketing fraudulent supplements that claim to help prevent the spread of the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. The warning letters, advises marketers that they must discontinue the fraudulent marketing of their product or face legal action. FDA officials said today that so far 80% of manufacturers contacted, have voluntarily changed the wording of the sales pitches for flu related products.

The issue most troubling to FDA officials is the online sale of counterfeit Tamiflu pills. Tamiflu, a drug used legitimately to treat H1N1 patients, is only available only by prescription. The pills sold online are nothing more than aspirin and will not cure the virus. 

Examples of other products being marketed that consumers should beware of include a "Photon" machine that claims to boost your immune system by using energy waves to clean the air; "Swine Flu Masks" which medical experts say won’t prevent you from contracting the virus, only from spreading it; and a "protective shampoo" health officials say doesn’t work that claims to help your body fend off the H1N1 virus.

If you suspect something suspicious that is being sold to promote fighting the H1N1 virus, check out the list of fraudulent products issued by the FDA at Fraudulent 2009 H1N1 Influenza Products List.

Have you been victim to a fraudulent product? Post a comment and tell us about it!