For decades, the Federal Trade Commission has been warning people about online ports, portals and pop-ups that could serve as conduits for questionable claims. But companies shouldn’t think we’ve overlooked another potential avenue for deception: direct mail.According to an FTC lawsuit, a group of seven U.S. and Canadian defendants used glossy magazine-style mailings to promote Neurocet, Regenify and Resetigen-D as treatments for a range of diseases, conditions and conditions, long enough to fill the gray’s anatomy – This book and show.
The defendants marketed Neurocet as a solution to chronic pain that often plagues older consumers, including arthritis, back pain and headaches. What’s more, they promise Neurocet’s relief lasts 26 times longer than popular pain medications and is even stronger than morphine, reducing inflammation and improving mobility and flexibility. To put the icing on the pain relief cake, they say their claims are backed up by scientific or clinical evidence.
They advertise that Regenify and Resetigen-D can repair cell damage throughout the body, reverse damage to skin, tissue, bones and organs, while also improving memory and brain function by up to 97.4%. This is just for beginners. Advertisements also promote the products as treating arthritis, tinnitus, asthma, high cholesterol, psoriasis and eczema. Oh, and users will lose weight and gain muscle.
Skeptical? Don’t, the defendant hinted. Advertisements for Regenify and Resetigen-D include glowing reviews from people who allegedly have tried the products. They also claim to be endorsed by gastroenterologists, neurologists, nephrologists, pulmonologists, cardiologists, rheumatologists, and just about every other type of specialist who has ever worn a white coat.
The complaint accuses the defendants of making “false or unsubstantiated allegations.” Others may use stronger language to describe targeting older consumers in this manner, especially given that defendants’ statements have no scientific basis and use purported endorsements from medical professionals and consumers that are purely fictitious.
The proposed stipulated order sets out provisions to protect future consumers and requires the defendants to disgorge $1.3 million, which can be used for consumer refunds.
If you thought you’d seen a number of FTC cases recently challenging misleading pain relief claims and deceptive treatments for ailments plaguing older Americans, you’d be right — and there’s good reason why. This situation. First, as the opioid crisis demonstrates, millions of people are in desperate need of relief from chronic pain. Second, as the baby boomer consumer population grows, more and more people are battling age-related illnesses for which there are no easy treatments. Third, the Venn diagrams of these two groups overlap significantly.
That’s why the FTC continues to crack down on bogus treatments and cures, and why we wage war, whether marketers communicate their dubious claims online, through direct mail, telemarketing or social media.to the middle
