Scammers are taking advantage of a baby formula shortage, Federal Trade Commission warns

The Federal Trade Commission said Wednesday that scammers are exploiting a nationwide baby formula shortage, tricking consumers into paying hefty prices through fraudulent online stores.

According to a consumer alert, the con artists lure desperate parents and caregivers with fake websites and social media profiles with images and logos of recognizable formula brands. The FTC said consumers think they are buying from a company's official website, but formula never arrives.

The agency said that scammers exploiting the high demand for baby formula have sunk to new lows.

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The shortage of baby formula began early in the Covid-19 epidemic. The closing of a Michigan manufacturing plant in February resulted in the deaths of two infants who consumed formula there.

Abbott Nutrition, the nation's largest formula manufacturer, and the Food and Drug Administration reached a deal on Monday to help ease the shortage.

The White House said last week that it would make it easier to import formula from abroad.

The FTC recommends avoiding a baby formula scam.

• Use a search engine to check out the company or product. Use search terms like “review,” “complaint” or “scam.”
• Only scammers will demand payment by gift card, money transfer or cryptocurrency. Paying with credit card often provides the most protection; you can sometimes get your money back if you ordered something that never arrived.
• Know your rights. Sellers are supposed to ship an online order within the time stated in their advertisements (or within 30 days if the ads don’t give a time). If a seller can’t ship by then, it must give you a revised shipping date, with the chance to cancel for a full refund or accept the new shipping date.
• Search for local resources. For example, your pediatrician may have formula in stock and might be able to help. Participants in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition assistance program can contact their local office to find formula.