Colorado State University Extension
SafeFood Rapid Response Network
SAFEFOOD NEWS - Summer 2000 - Vol 4 / No. 4
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Operation Cure.All . . . Targets Internet Health Fraud
The Federal Trade Commission launched the "Operation Cure.All" education campaign in 1999. The campaign uses the Internet both as a law enforcement tool to stop bogus claims for products and treatments touted as cures for various diseases and as a communication tool to provide consumers with good quality health information.
As of December 1998, health and medical content were the sixth most commonly accessed type of information on the Web. Twenty-nine percent of all Americans looked to the Internet for medical information and over half (70%) of those searching for health care information on the Web, do so before visiting a doctor's office. Most online consumers search for information about diseases. Cancer-related searches are the most frequently sought disease category, followed by heart disease.
"Operation Cure.All" targets companies touting bogus cancer cures and making unsubstantiated health claims. To date, the FTC has filed seven "Operation Cure.All" law enforcement actions, sent more than 800 advisory letters to Internet companies making questionable health claims, and distributed tips to consumers on how to spot cyber health fraud. These tips can be found on the Internet at www.ftc.gov/bcp/menu-health.htm Jodie Bernstein, Director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, alerts consumers to the following health claim marketing techniques. Any of these claims should elicit a "red flag" to the consumer:
- The product is advertised as a quick and effective cure-all for a wide range of ailments.
- The promoters use words like scientific breakthrough, miraculous cure, exclusive product, secret ingredient or ancient remedy.
- The text is written in "medicalese"-impressive-sounding terminology to disguise a lack of good science.
- The promoter claims the government, the medical profession, or research scientists have conspired to suppress the product.
- The advertisement includes undocumented case histories claiming amazing results.
- The product is advertised as available from only one source.
Some reliable web sites which provide specific resources to educate people about fraud and quackery and how to find and evaluate information on the Web include the following:
Federal Trade Commission website:
www.ftc.gov
Operation Cure.All-
www.ftc.gov/opa/1999/9906/opcureall.htm
Healthfinder-the federal consumer health information gateway:
www.healthfinder.gov
U.S. Food and Drug Administration website:
www.fda.gov
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-Current Health Related Hoaxes and Rumors webpage:
www.cdc.gov/hoax_rumors.htm
Source: "Operation Cure.All" Targets Internet Health Fraud, June 24, 1999, Federal Trade Commission Press Release.
