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  Geebo 8:00 am on May 13, 2022 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: baby formula, product shortage ( 2 ), recall ( 3 ), Scams ( 1,354 ), supply chain ( 2 )   

  BBB warns of baby formula scams 

  

  By Greg Collier

  Whenever there is a shortage of something, inevitably, some people will use that shortage to their own financial advantage. This can be seen in such practices as price gouging and scalping. However, in those practices, you can still get a product. Then there’s the scam where you get nothing at all.

  As you may know, there has been a shortage of baby formula happening across the country. Due to supply chain issues and a massive recall of baby formula due to salmonella, store shelves have been barren of baby formula. Even government programs which are designed to assist low-income families have been struggling to supply formula to needy families. Of course, scammers never see a crisis they can’t pass up.

  The Better Business Bureau has issued a nationwide warning about baby formula scams. According to the BBB, scammers are setting up fake websites and social media profiles. The scammers claim that not only do they have baby formula in stock, but they’re offering it at bargain prices. However, payments are only accepted through the usual suspects of Cash App, Venmo, and probably Zelle. Once the payment is made, the scammers block their victims on these apps, leaving the victims out of money and a hungry child to feed. Some of these websites even have pictures of what the scammers claim is their supply, but more often than not, these photos are stolen off the internet.

  If you come across a website selling baby formula, research before you buy. First, do what’s called a WHOIS search on the website’s domain name. This will more than likely let you know when the site was created. You can also do a web search of the site’s name along with the terms ‘review’ or ‘scam’. That should provide you with information to let you know whether the site is legitimate or not. Unfortunately, during the current crisis, these vendors will almost assuredly be scammers.

   

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  Geebo 8:00 am on March 14, 2022 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: baby formula, gray market, recall ( 3 ), Scams ( 1,354 )   

  Are scammers selling tainted baby formula? 

  

  By Greg Collier

  It will come as no shock to some parents of newborn babies that baby formula is expensive. Some experts believe it’s artificially expensive, but that’s a story for another day. Anyway, to make matters worse, there was a major recall of baby formula launched last month. Some well established brands were found to be contaminated with salmonella. You can get more specific details about the recall at the USDA’s website. Combined with already existing supply chain issues, the recall has helped create a baby formula shortage. As has become the norm, whenever there’s a crisis, scammers will try to take advantage of it. The recall is no different, but it could lead to disastrous effects to their victims.

  Much of the country’s baby formula is distributed through state WIC programs. The program, is designed to help low-income families whose young children may be at nutritional risk. This can include the distribution of baby formula for families who request it. Unfortunately, WIC programs have distributed some of the recalled formula. This is where the scammers come in.

  According to the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office, scammers are going door to door posing as WIC employees. They’re asking for the recalled formula so they can return the formula and get a refund for the recipient. Reports say the scammers are returning the formula and pocketing the refund for themselves. However, there could also be a much more dangerous fallout to this scam.

  Baby formula is a popular item to sell in online gray markets. In some cases, people who are on WIC will get the formula even if they don’t need it and will sell it at a discount. These recent scammers may not want to wait for a refund from the government and will instead try to sell the formula online. Families who don’t qualify for WIC but still need formula may buy the tainted formula online without knowing its risks.

  If you find that you have some of the recalled formula, there are avenues you can pursue to get a refund. You can return it to where it was purchased, return it to WIC, or go to the manufacturer’s website for further instructions. However, you should be aware that WIC is not going door to door to collect the formula. If someone comes to your door claiming to be from any governmental agency, ask to see their identification and call the agency they’re supposed to represent to see whether they are legitimate or not.