Miracle health cures under the microscope How to spot

You’ll be told that these miracle products are only available by mail order or over the internet from an exclusive supplier.

You’ll be asked for payment in advance, and offered a worthless no-risk 'money-back guarantee'.

The ‘treatment’ often contains a 'special', 'secret' or 'ancient' formula that will provide instant cures to a wide variety of ailments.

Fake testimonials

The mailings or website will include fake testimonials or case histories from satisfied customers.

Often the scammers make false claims that their treatment is a 'scientific breakthrough' following years of research and has been clinically proven.

Weight loss schemes usually take the form of a revolutionary pill, patch, cream or other product that will help you slim without actually dieting or exercise.

Dramatic weight loss

Some weigh loss products claim you'll lose lots of weight at lightning speed.

More than 120,000 UK households received mailings promoting the weight loss qualities of the SlimBall.

The company behind the mailings – Kirkwood Advertising – described the device as a 'surgery free gastric balloon' and the 'No.1 weight loss treatment that's beating obesity in the USA'.

No evidence

Consumers were told that a 'bio-granule' taken 15 minutes before a meal would swell in the stomach by up to 50 times its original size and suppressed users' appetites, ensuring safe and fast weight loss.

More than 4,000 people in the UK placed orders for the treatments, which cost up to £45.

But Kirkwood Advertising agreed to stop mailing British consumers after the Office of Fair Trading demanded evidence to back up the weight-loss claims.