Before You Buy a GLP-1 Online, Here's What Consumers Need to Know

Someone loses weight and suddenly everyone becomes a detective.

“Do you think they're taking a GLP-1?”

Some people talk openly about using these medications. Others don't.

Some women are navigating menopause and discussing weight and metabolic changes with their medical providers. Others are trying to improve their health. Some proudly share before-and-after photos only to find themselves judged for how they lost the weight.

And sometimes people see dramatic weight loss and become concerned.

But we don't know someone's health history from a photograph.

What consumers can evaluate is whether the company selling them a medication is legitimate.

A September 3 WAFF report highlighted warnings from BBB and medical professionals about cheap online GLP-1 offers. According to the report, BBB Scam Tracker has received 170 reports since January involving consumers looking for affordable weight-loss medications.

Reported problems include fake pharmacies, subscription traps, unauthorized credit-card charges and AI-generated advertising featuring fake endorsements. One consumer reportedly anticipated a $39 purchase and instead found more than $600 charged to their card.

Consumers should be especially cautious when:

• Medication is offered without appropriate medical screening or consultation.
• The price seems dramatically lower than legitimate alternatives.
• The website or packaging contains spelling or labeling errors.
• The seller requests unusual payment methods.
• Subscription or recurring-payment terms aren't clear.
• You cannot clearly determine who is prescribing the medication or where it is being filled.

And remember: this isn't like ordering a discounted pair of shoes online.

You are purchasing something you intend to put into your body.

Before buying, research the company, talk with your health care provider and know exactly who is prescribing and supplying the medication.

Consumers can also search BBB Scam Tracker to see what others have reported or submit a scam report of their own. BBB reviews reports before publishing them to its searchable database.

Maybe instead of asking, “Do you think they're on a GLP-1?” we should be asking a more useful question:

“If they're taking one, are they getting it safely?”

bbb.org/all/consumer/scam/weight-loss-and-glp-1-scams