PORTLAND, Ore — The Federal Trade Commission sent letters warning companies around the country to stop making unsupported claims that their treatments or products can treat or prevent COVID-19, including some companies in Oregon.
A number of the letters were sent to companies advertising "treatments" like Chinese herbal medicine, music therapy, homeopathic treatments and shields claimed to boost people's immune system by protecting the consumer from electromagnetic fields.
There is no scientific evidence that these treatments or products can cure or treat coronavirus.
Three Oregon companies received warning letters for marketing therapy products, supplements, medication and Chinese herbal treatments:
- Inner Works Acupuncture in Southwest Portland
- Portland Clinic of Holistic Health in Northwest Portland
- Holistic Health Acupuncture in Medford
To protect Americans from coronavirus-related scams, this is now the fourth set of letters the FTC has sent to nearly 100 people and companies marketing these products. Letters have gone out to sellers of vitamins, herbs, essential oils, colloidal silver, teas and other things pitched as scientifically proven treatments or prevention of coronavirus, as well as companies pushing Vitamin C IV "therapies", ozone therapy and alleged stem cell treatments.
The FTC told the companies that they are in violation of the FTC Act because one or more of their claims are unsubstantiated and not supported by scientific evidence. The companies and individuals are advised to stop making unsupported claims immediately and tell the FTC within 48 hours about specific actions they took to do so.
If the companies don't stop, the FTC warns it could pursue a federal court injunction and order to force them to refund customers.
Letters went out to several Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service providers, warning them it's illegal to assist or facilitate pre-recorded, illegal telemarketing robocalls pitching any coronavirus-related products or treatments. The FTC has also sent warning letters to multi-level marketers (MLMs) pitching coronavirus-related business opportunities and supposed health benefits of their products.
You can file a consumer complaint online or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357).