Learn about the sharp rise in Ozempic and Wegovy-themed phishing scams in 2024.
Semaglutide-based weight loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy have become increasingly popular over the past year. While these drugs are developed for adults with type 2 diabetes, pop culture icons and Hollywood stars have progressively used these drugs for vanity purposes in place of traditional weight loss methods.
The increased mainstream illusion of these drugs as a health supplement versus a prescription drug has created such a shortage that those who legitimately need the drug can’t afford or access it, with prices being as high as $1,000 per month.
As with any product with high demand and restricted supply, scammers are out in full force looking to take advantage of consumers. In fact, a recent report shows Ozempic and Wegovy-themed phishing scams are up 183% in 2024 compared to last year.
These scams spanned nearly 450 high-risk websites and more than 176,000 phishing attempts over a four-month period, in addition to postings on social media and online marketplaces.
How to Identify Weight Loss Phishing Scams
Beyond a fresh coat of paint, the scams are nothing new in structure or design and are built to install malware and steal personally identifiable information (PII) or funds. Some of the most common red flags for these scams include:
- No Prescription Required – The most glaring warning sign is any website or email that claims to provide Ozempic, Wegovy or any other prescription drug without an actual prescription. If the seller does not require any paperwork, it should be the only red flag needed.
- Cheap Prices – Even with insurance, these drugs are not cheap, so if you see an ad or email with Ozempic for $100, ignore it. Not only will you most likely not receive anything, but if you do receive something, you’ll have no idea what it actually is.
- Traceless Payment Methods – Sellers who don’t take credit or debit cards as payment are most likely scammers, as they tend to stick to digital platforms like Zelle, Bitcoin, CashApp and Venmo.
Especially with expensive prescription drugs of any kind, offers that are too good to be true are just that… and dangerous from a health perspective. If you are considering one of these weight loss drugs, or any sort of prescription drug for that matter, the best starting point is an actual health professional – not unverified websites or unsolicited emails.
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