TL;DR: This pattern tracks flu and cold season, roughly October through February, when demand for medication and same-day remedies rises and people are more willing to try an unfamiliar online pharmacy. Buy medication only from licensed pharmacies you can verify, and be skeptical of prices well below what a known retailer charges for the same product.
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This pattern tracks flu and cold season, roughly October through February, when demand for medication and same-day remedies rises and people are more willing to try an unfamiliar online pharmacy.
How the Scam Plays Out
Unlicensed online pharmacies advertise cheap over-the-counter and prescription medication through ads and spam email, taking payment for products that may never arrive or that arrive counterfeit or expired.
How to Protect Yourself
Buy medication only from licensed pharmacies you can verify, and be skeptical of prices well below what a known retailer charges for the same product.
If this looks similar to something else you've seen, it's worth reading Fall Flu Vaccine Appointment Scams.
This pattern shows up elsewhere too — see Gift Card Scams During the Holidays: How They Work.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does this typically happen?
This pattern tracks flu and cold season, roughly October through February, when demand for medication and same-day remedies rises and people are more willing to try an unfamiliar online pharmacy.
What tactics are used?
Unlicensed online pharmacies advertise cheap over-the-counter and prescription medication through ads and spam email, taking payment for products that may never arrive or that arrive counterfeit or expired.
How can I protect myself?
Buy medication only from licensed pharmacies you can verify, and be skeptical of prices well below what a known retailer charges for the same product.
What should I do if I’ve already been targeted?
Stop all payments immediately, contact your bank or card issuer to see if a transaction can be reversed or flagged, and report the incident to the appropriate consumer protection body.