Hungary consumer authority warns of medical impersonation scams

The National Authority for Consumer Protection and Trade (NKFH) has issued a warning regarding fraudulent websites that impersonate well-known hospitals, pharmacies, and healthcare professionals to sell dietary supplements.

These deceptive sites often use the names, logos, and visual identities of legitimate medical institutions to create a false sense of security, leading consumers to believe products are medically endorsed or regulated. Scammers frequently employ tactics such as fake testimonials from medical experts, images of celebrities, before-and-after photos, and claims of rapid weight loss or miraculous health results to pressure buyers with limited-time offers.

The NKFH emphasizes that dietary supplements are food products, not medicines, and should not be used to treat or prevent diseases. A significant danger exists if consumers replace prescribed medical treatments with these supplements. Authorities advise consumers to verify the operator, contact information, and physical address of online stores and to check if the product is being sold through an institution's official website.