The Federal Trade Commission warns that fraudsters are taking advantage of a lack of infant formula

Fraudsters are taking advantage of a lack of infant formula across the country and misleading consumers into paying high prices through fraudulent online stores, the Federal Trade Commission said Wednesday.

Fraudsters lure “desperate parents and guardians” through fake websites or social media profiles with pictures and logos of recognizable formula brands, he says consumer warning. Consumers think they are buying on the company’s official website, but the formula never comes, the FTC said.

“Fraudsters who take advantage of the high demand for baby formula have fallen to a new level,” the agency said.

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Lack of baby formula started early in the Covid-19 pandemic, but it is worsened in recent weeks. There is a shortage partly due to February until the closure of the Michigan manufacturing plant; two infants who consumed the milk produced there became ill with a bacterial infection and died.

Food and Drug Administration reached an agreement with plant owner Abbott Nutrition, state the largest formula manufacturer, on Monday to reduce the shortage.

White House he said last week among other things, it would facilitate the import of the formula from abroad.

• Use a search engine to check a company or product. Use search terms such as ‘review’, ‘complaint’ or ‘scam’.
• Only fraudsters will require payment by gift card, money order or cryptocurrency. Credit card payments often provide maximum protection; sometimes you can get your money back if you ordered something that never arrived.
• Know your rights. Sellers should ship the online order within the time specified in their ads (or within 30 days if the ads do not allow time). If the seller is unable to ship by then, he must provide you with a corrected shipping date with the option to cancel for a full refund or accept a new shipping date.
• Find local resources. For example, your pediatrician may have a formula in stock and can help you. Participants in Women, babies and children (WIC) nutrition assistance program can contact their local office to find a formula.