Weight Loss Scams

"Fat fighters in a bottle." That’s what the markets of Fat Trappers and Exercise in a Bottle claimed in their ads. "Not so," said the Federal Trade Commission.

I'm Shirley Rooker for the Federal Trade Commission.

The Enforma System claimed that its products increase the body’s capacity to burn fat and would help the body burn more calories while just standing or sitting around doing nothing, even while sleeping. And the TV ads stated that consumers could enjoy fried chicken, pizza, and other high-calorie, high-fat products and still lose weight.

The FTC complaint charged that there was no proof that Fat Trapper and Exercise in a Bottle really worked.

Under a court settlement, the company will no longer make deceptive weight-loss claims and will pay the FTC 10 million dollars to be returned to purchasers of the product or, if that is not practically, paid to the U.S. Treasury.

I'm Shirley Rooker, director of WTOP radio's Call For Action for the Federal Trade Commission.

January 2002