FDA Warning Issued: Beware Scam by Fake FDA Agents Calling Buyers of Online Drugs - Should You Stop Buying Drugs From Overseas?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a news release earlier this week warning the public about a big scam where people are being taken for thousands of dollars. Beware: it's apparently pretty popular, and well organized.

Seems that evildoers in the Dominican Republic and perhaps other countries have gained access to the names, addresses, and phone numbers of folk who have purchased drugs online or over the phone. They are calling up these folk, identifying themselves as FDA agents or FDA investigators, and scaring the beegeebers out of the people with patter that includes "buying drugs over the phone is against the law" or "purchasing drugs online is a crime," stuff like that.

Then, of course, they're asking for money. Calling it a "fine," they are seducing their victims with fear and then manipulating them into sending money. Sometimes, it's lots of money. Victims are terrified, and they are sending cash via wire transfer to these villians.

The FDA reports that some have been duped to sending anywhere from $100 to $250,000 to these ne'er-do-wells.

So, Miami, don't you be swindled. Here are some tips for you in case you get contacted by one of these scammers (from the FDA):

1. They are tracking people who are buying drugs and medicine online or through a telepharmacy. You don't need to stop buying drugs this way - but be careful. They use GoogleMaps and other online resources to drop information that suggests that they're local - but they're not. They're just sneaky.

2. Check anything you get in the mail that claims to be from the federal government. Call and ask if it's really from the FDA by calling 1-800-INFO-FDA.

3. Be wary of any emails that you receive claiming to be from the FDA. If the email address doesn't end in ".gov" then it's not from the feds. Forward that email to the FDA's Office of Criminal Investigations.

Should You Stop Buying Medicine From Other Countries (Mexico, Canada)?

Of course, the FDA also includes its warnings against buying drugs overseas, citing quality issues as well as the higher risk for creditcard fraud as well as identity theft and scams like this one. From its press release, the FDA apparently urges everyone to buy their drugs here in the USA.

However, the truth is that for many Americans -- particularly seniors here in South Florida and elsewhere, buying their medicines in Mexico or Canada makes good financial sense.

They're unbelievably cheaper.

Interestingly, President Obama created a budget that was sent to Congress in 2009 that included encouraging the ability of Americans to purchase drugs via foreign suppliers. Who knows what's happened to that one.

So, Miami, what does this mean? Well, don't get scammed. Be careful as you purchase your meds overseas. Use a separate card just for those purchases, perhaps. Maybe have a disposable cellphone for those purchases. Investigate ways to protect yourself as you buy from online overseas pharmacies.

And, remember: here's the real risk. You buy the drugs, maybe they aren't the quality that you need. They're old. They're fake. Or you do get scammed.

Odds are not high that the law will be able to bring you justice. The same products liability and fraud laws that protect you here in the USA -- the ones that you would use in a suit against an American drug store or drug maker -- will not apply to foreign suppliers.

Only you can decide if these risks balanced against your budget make buying your drugs (or those of your loved ones) from foreign sources worth your while.

By Bryant Esquenazi on January 11, 2011 7:40 PM