(NewsUSA) - Buying over-the-counter (OTC) medicines or dietary supplements online can be easy and convenient, but how can you be sure that you know and trust the seller? As the number of counterfeit OTC products sold online has grown in recent years, along with scammers’ abilities to mimic legitimate products, experts at the Health In Hand Foundation, a non-profit with 20 years of helping consumers safely choose and use consumer healthcare products, are here to help you navigate the ever-changing landscape of counterfeit and resold OTC products.  

Honest consumer healthcare companies ensure the safety and quality of their products in many ways, including using regulated factories that follow strict safety standards and verified manufacturing practices. However, some individuals produce counterfeit versions of these same medicines in facilities with little or no regulation, quality control, or safety standards. 

When you purchase products online, the options can seem endless. One option is buying directly from a manufacturer’s website ([BRAND].com), where products are sold and shipped directly to you from the manufacturer. 

Alternatively, you may purchase products from an online retailer that sells multiple brands and products (e.g. Amazon, Walmart, Costco, or a pharmacy retailer). But make sure to look carefully because well-known e-commerce websites can have different sellers offering what seems to be the same product on the same results page. So. how can you be sure you’re purchasing from a legitimate seller? Keep these tips and red flags in mind the next time you plan on buying an OTC product online: 

• Prices that are too good to be true. Sellers of fake OTC medicines will often offer them at prices much lower than businesses selling the genuine product. Although the products may be fake, these sellers can still appear at the top of search results.  

• Photos that do not match the product. A low-quality image or an image that differs from the advertised item is another sign of a fake product. Some sellers will alter a photo by blurring or blocking the brand to avoid counterfeit detection. 

• Wording that doesn’t describe the product. If the brand name is missing from the listings, be cautious. Some sellers don’t mention the brand name in the listing to avoid counterfeit detection, and they may have an image of a branded product with a nonspecific description. 

• Unclear or confusing reviews. Reviews that don't match the product listed or comments that are confusing or inauthentic are red flags alerting you to a possible fake. 

• No contact information. If the seller doesn't have a physical address or telephone number listed within the United States, the business could be fake. 

• Poor or non-existent customer service policies.* Beware of companies with no return and/or refund policy. Also, avoid sellers who don’t have secure payment protocols in place to protect your financial information when you purchase from them online.  
   

*Important note: Genuine sellers often do not allow returns on OTC medications, so please review all factors mentioned before buying. 

If you have already placed an online order for an OTC product, inspect it closely when it arrives to ensure it has not been damaged or disturbed. Trust your instincts. If the packaging or labeling looks off or if the product itself does not look right, return it and report it. Becoming an informed shopper helps you find the legitimate and trustworthy products you need to help you feel your best. 

Visit healthinhand.org  for more tips and advice about choosing and using consumer healthcare products safely.