What is happening
Advertisers based overseas run adverts on Facebook and Instagram for health products. The adverts say the products are backed by trusted names, such as the British Dental Association, Boots, Guy's and St Thomas' hospital trust or Asthma + Lung UK, or that they carry a UKCA safety mark. Those organisations told Which? the adverts are not genuine or have no link to them.
The warning signs
- An advert says a well-known health body, hospital or shop backs a product
- Big promises, such as curing loose teeth or tooth pain
- Offers that seem too good to be true
- Pressure to buy quickly
- Poor spelling and grammar
What to do
- Check the organisation's own website rather than trusting a logo in an advert
- Report the advert on the platform using the three dots in the top corner
- Report scam adverts to the Advertising Standards Authority
- Report scam websites to the National Cyber Security Centre
- If you have paid, call your bank on the number on the back of your card and report it to Report Fraud (101 in Scotland)
Already paid or shared your details?
- Call your bank straight away, using the number on your card.
- Change any passwords you shared, starting with your email.
- Report it (see below).
- Tell someone you trust. Scams catch careful people too.
United Kingdom
Report fraud at reportfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101. Forward scam texts to 7726 and scam emails to report@phishing.gov.uk. Call 159 to reach most UK banks.
United States
Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Forward scam texts to 7726.
Canada
Report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre on 1-888-495-8501. Forward scam texts to 7726.
Australia
Report it at scamwatch.gov.au. If you lost money, report it to the police at cyber.gov.au and call IDCARE on 1800 595 160 for free help.
Anywhere else
Report it to your local police or your national fraud reporting service.
Sources
- How scammers use fake health endorsements to peddle their wares
Which? · 2026-10-14
We summarise warnings published by the organisations above. If something here is wrong, tell us and we will correct it.