Report a Health Scam

By NHINWatch.com Investigations Desk | Reviewed August 13, 2026

NHIN Watch is an independent scam-investigation newsroom. It is not a clinic, regulator, law firm, law-enforcement agency, or emergency service. This page explains where and how to report health scams, what evidence to preserve, and how to protect your privacy while doing so.

What Evidence to Collect

Before you report, gather what you can without putting yourself at risk. Do not send sensitive personal data to NHIN Watch. Instead, preserve evidence for official agencies.

Screenshots and URLs: Capture the full web address, product name, price, and any health claims made. Include the date and time. Save the image file with a clear name (for example, “scam-ad-2026-08-13.png”).

Email and message records: If you received a promotional email or text, keep the full headers and sender address. Do not click links in suspicious messages, but do note the sender’s domain and the exact wording of the offer.

Payment records: Note the date, amount, merchant name, and payment method. If you used a credit card or PayPal, your bank or payment service has a record.

Product packaging or labels: If you received a physical item, photograph the label, ingredient list, and any fine print. Keep the original packaging.

Correspondence: Save any follow-up emails, invoices, or customer-service replies. These show the company’s own words and patterns.

Report to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

The FTC enforces truth-in-advertising law and accepts complaints about deceptive health claims, fake testimonials, and misleading pricing.

Go to reportfraud.ftc.gov and select “Health and Fitness” or “Online Shopping.” Describe what happened, when, and how much you lost. Attach screenshots if possible. The FTC does not resolve individual cases but uses complaints to identify patterns and take action against repeat offenders.

Report to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)

The IC3, run by the FBI, handles online fraud, phishing, and identity theft. Use this channel if you believe your personal information was stolen, your account was hacked, or you were tricked into sending money.

Visit ic3.gov, complete the complaint form, and provide as much detail as you can about the scammer’s email, website, or payment method. The IC3 forwards reports to law enforcement and shares data across agencies.

Report Unsafe Products to the FDA

If you took a supplement, drug, or used a medical device and experienced a harmful side effect, the FDA’s MedWatch program collects safety reports. This is separate from fraud reporting and helps the FDA identify dangerous products.

You can report online, by phone (1-888-SAFEFDA), or by mail. Include the product name, lot number, date of use, and a description of what happened. You do not need proof of purchase.

Report Scam Ads on Social Media and Search Platforms

If you see a deceptive health ad on Facebook, Instagram, Google, TikTok, or another platform, report it directly to that company. Each platform has an abuse-reporting button or form.

Facebook and Instagram: Click the three dots on the ad, select “Report ad,” and choose the reason (misleading, false claims, etc.).

Google Search and YouTube: Click the three dots next to the ad or video, select “Report,” and explain why.

TikTok: Tap the three dots, select “Report,” and describe the issue.

Platforms remove ads that violate their policies, but removal can take hours or days. Report to the FTC as well so the advertiser is tracked across platforms.

Contact Your Bank or Payment Service

If you see a charge you did not authorize, contact your bank or card issuer promptly through an official number. Describe the facts and ask about its dispute deadlines and card-protection steps. A reversal is not guaranteed and the rules depend on the payment method and circumstances.

Do not delay. The sooner you report, the better your chance of recovery. Ask your bank to issue a new card and monitor your account for further suspicious activity.

What to Preserve and What to Avoid

Do preserve: URLs, screenshots, email headers, dates, amounts, and merchant names. Store these in a folder on your computer or in a secure note app.

Do not: Click links in suspicious emails or texts. Do not download attachments from unknown senders. Do not call phone numbers listed in the scam ad. Do not send money to “verify” your account or claim a refund.

Do not send to NHIN Watch: We are not a reporting agency. Do not email us your credit card number, Social Security number, passwords, or medical records. Report those directly to the FTC, IC3, or your bank.

Protect Your Privacy While Reporting

Official agencies (FTC, IC3, FDA) keep your complaint confidential and do not sell your data. When you report, use your real name and contact information so they can follow up if needed.

However, do not post your full complaint on social media or public forums. Scammers monitor complaints to refine their tactics, and other victims may copy your story without verification.

If you are worried about retaliation, you can file an anonymous report with the FTC, though it may be less useful to investigators. The IC3 and FDA accept reports with contact information.

Next Steps After You Report

Reporting is the first step. Learn what to do after an online health scam to protect your credit, monitor for identity theft, and recover if possible.

To avoid future scams, verify an online health claim before you buy. Check the seller’s credentials, read independent reviews, and be skeptical of guaranteed cures or miracle products.

For more on how we investigate and what red flags to watch for, read how we investigate online health scams.

Key Takeaways

• Report deceptive ads and false health claims to the FTC.
• Report online fraud and identity theft to the IC3.
• Report unsafe products to the FDA MedWatch.
• Report scam ads directly to the platform (Facebook, Google, TikTok, etc.).
• Contact your bank immediately if you were charged without permission.
• Preserve screenshots, URLs, emails, and payment records.
• Do not send sensitive personal data to NHIN Watch.

Last reviewed August 13, 2026. This page reflects current U.S. reporting channels and official guidance. Procedures and URLs may change; verify links before sharing.