By NHINWatch.com Investigations Desk | Reviewed August 13, 2026
NHIN Watch is an independent reporting site. It is not a clinic, regulator, law firm, police agency, or emergency service. This page sets the rules for every story we publish.
Our Commitment to You
We check facts before we publish. We name sources when we can. We fix major errors in public. We do not invent quotes, tests, or personal use.
We protect victim privacy and disclose conflicts. Tools may help with research or drafts. An editor must still review the facts, words, links, and final page.
Sourcing and Factual Standards
Every factual claim in a NHINWatch story must come from a named source, public record, or official agency. We do not publish allegations without corroboration. We distinguish between what we have proved, what warning signs suggest, and what remains unknown.
For regulatory or reporting facts, we use only these official resources:
- FDA Consumer Health Fraud and Scams
- NCCIH: Finding and Evaluating Online Health Resources
- FTC Report Fraud
- Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
- FDA MedWatch Safety Reporting
- FTC Health Products Compliance Guidance
We link factual statements directly to the official source. We do not claim a source proves more than it actually states. If a fact is not yet confirmed by an official agency, we say so.
Language for Unproven Allegations
We never call an unverified person, company, or offer criminal or fraudulent. Instead, we use precise language: “alleged,” “reported,” “claimed,” “accused of,” or “under investigation for.” We explain what evidence exists and what remains unconfirmed.
When we seek comment, we report a relevant response fairly. We say when no reply arrived by the stated deadline. Silence is not proof of wrongdoing.
Conflicts of Interest and Fairness
We disclose any financial, personal, or professional relationship that could bias our reporting. Investigation subjects cannot pay to change a finding or remove accurate reporting. A page may contain an affiliate or commercial link only with a prominent disclosure and only when that link does not control the evidence or conclusion.
If a story involves a person or company we covered before, we link that history when useful. For a serious new claim, we seek a fair response when it is safe and practical. We do not publish private facts without a clear public need.
Corrections and Updates
We correct major factual errors when we confirm them. A correction note states the date and what changed. Minor spelling or style fixes may not need a note.
We update stories when new information becomes available. Updates also appear at the top with a date. We keep the original reporting intact so readers can track how the story evolved.
Victim Privacy and Safety
We protect the privacy of scam victims unless they consent to be named. We do not publish full names, addresses, phone numbers, or financial details of victims without permission. We use first names or pseudonyms when appropriate.
We do not publish information that could help scammers target more people. We do not reveal security vulnerabilities or fraud methods in detail if doing so would enable harm. We balance transparency with public safety.
AI Assistance and Transparency
Automated tools may help find leads, sort records, compare pages, or prepare a draft. They cannot approve a story, supply missing proof, or publish a claim on their own. An accountable editor reviews the sources and final words.
We disclose material tool use when it helps readers judge the work. We remain responsible for every word, no matter which tools helped prepare it.
No Fabricated Experience
We do not fabricate product use, purchases, phone calls, screenshots, victim stories, credentials, or first-person testing. We do not invent quotes or attribute false statements to sources. If we have not done something, we do not claim we have.
If we cannot verify a detail through reporting, we do not include it. We tell readers what we know and what we do not know. Honesty builds trust.
How to Report an Error or Concern
If you find a factual error, send the URL, disputed text, and supporting source. We will review it. If we confirm a major error, we will publish a correction.
If you believe we have violated these standards, you can also report that concern. We take accountability seriously and will review your complaint fairly.
Learn More About Our Work
Read how we investigate online health scams. You can also check a health claim before you buy.
If you already paid for a bad offer, our next-step guide can help you act.
Last reviewed August 13, 2026. These standards are binding on all NHINWatch reporting and are updated as our practices evolve.