GLP-1 Medication Scams: What to Watch Out For

GLP-1 medications have moved quickly from medical treatment into everyday conversation.

Originally prescribed for type 2 diabetes, drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are now widely discussed as weight-loss solutions and lifestyle upgrades. Social media is filled with before-and-after photos, influencers share personal routines, and ads promise fast access without long waits or complicated medical steps.

And that’s where the risk begins.

As popularity and demand for GLP-1 medications have grown, so has a parallel market of fake pharmacies, misleading ads, and offers that sound easier, cheaper, or faster than going through a doctor. Many of these scams look professional and reassuring alternatives, especially to people dealing with high costs, limited availability, or frustration after being turned away elsewhere.

How GLP-1 Scams Work

Most GLP-1 scams start with a routine online search. You’re looking for a pharmacy that carries Ozempic and land on a website offering it at a much lower price than usual. You might find the site through a search result, a sponsored ad, or even a social media post shared by someone you trust.

The website makes the process sound simple, emphasizing savings, convenience, and fast access, often comparing online prices to the cost of going through a doctor. Payment is requested through a digital wallet app such as Cash App or Zelle, and in many cases no prescription is required.

Once the payment is sent, the medication never arrives. Instead, people receive automated customer service replies, vague explanations, or repeated claims that the order is “being processed” or “on the way.” Refund requests are ignored or denied.

There is never any medication to ship. The delays, extra messages, and follow-ups are part of the scam. And because payment is made through digital wallet apps, the money is usually impossible to recover once it’s sent.

4 Common GLP-1 Weight-Loss Scams to Be Aware Of

1. AI-Generated Ads With Fake Endorsements

They may include videos or images of doctors, health experts, or celebrities appearing to recommend a product or alternative treatment. Some use AI-generated voices or manipulated footage to make the endorsement seem real.

BBB Scam Tracker reports: One consumer clicked on a video promoting a so-called “pink salt trick” for weight loss. The video appeared to feature Oprah Winfrey alongside a doctor endorsing a product called Lipo Max as a safer alternative to GLP-1 injections. Believing the endorsement was genuine, the consumer spent more than $300 on the product. Later, they suspected the video had been AI-generated. When they tried to request a refund, the support email address no longer worked.

2. Fake Text Messages, Emails, and Phone Calls

Some GLP-1 scams reach people directly, without any searching at all.

Consumers report receiving messages or calls claiming that a GLP-1 prescription has been approved, an order is delayed or needs confirmation, or payment details must be updated urgently. Links typically lead to fake websites, while phone calls rely on pressure and a sense of urgency.

BBB Scam Tracker reports: A consumer received a text message from someone identifying themselves as “Laura from WellnessCare,” claiming that a doctor had cleared their GLP-1 prescription and that treatment could begin immediately. The consumer became suspicious, blocked the number, and later worried the message may have been connected to Medicaid-related fraud.

3. Fake Online Pharmacies and Health Retailers

One of the most common GLP-1 scams involves fake pharmacy websites.

These sites may advertise discounted GLP-1 medications, promise easy access, or skip prescription requirements altogether. Some add brief online “consultations” to appear legitimate. In reality, the businesses are often unlicensed, the products unverified, and shipments unreliable or nonexistent.

BBB Scam Tracker reports: A consumer searching for a lower price than their doctor’s office found an online ad for a GLP-1 injection. After paying a small membership fee and entering credit card details, they began seeing repeated charge attempts of $670. Despite contacting the company multiple times to cancel, the charges continued, leaving the consumer concerned that future payments would eventually go through.

4. Missing or Fake Shipments

In these cases, scammers claim the medication has already been shipped.

Victims are then told there’s a delivery problem — such as customs delays, insurance requirements, or labeling issues — that requires additional payment. Tracking numbers may be fake or lead nowhere. Each update comes with a new request for money, until communication stops entirely.

BBB Scam Tracker reports: A consumer paid $279 for GLP-1 medication, only to be told the FedEx package was misdelivered. Attempts to resolve the issue with both the seller and the shipping company went nowhere, leaving the consumer without the medication or a refund.

Other Risks to Keep in Mind

Some scams present themselves as safer or more affordable alternatives to branded GLP-1 drugs, using labels like “compounded,” “research-grade,” “clinically similar,” or “FDA-style approved.” These terms are often used loosely or incorrectly, and the actual ingredients, dosage, and safety of the product can be difficult — or impossible — to verify. Beyond the financial risk, this can pose real health concerns.

Other schemes are data harvesting disguised as health screening. They offer “eligibility checks,” BMI assessments, or personalized GLP-1 plans, asking for sensitive details such as age, weight, health history, email address, or phone number. That data can later be sold, reused in phishing campaigns, or combined with other leaked information to target you with more scams or steal your digital identity.

How to Avoid Prescription Drug Scams

Stick to pharmacies in your own country. Health authorities warn that medications sold through foreign online pharmacies are often unapproved or unsafe. Buying locally reduces both health risks and the chance of being scammed.
Never buy prescription-only medication without a prescription. If a seller doesn’t ask for one, that’s a major red flag. Offering prescription drugs without medical approval is illegal and often a sign of fraud.
Be skeptical of unusually low prices. Deep discounts on high-demand, name-brand drugs should raise questions. Scammers use low prices to create urgency, and the outcome is often counterfeit medication or no delivery at all.
Avoid paying with digital wallet apps or wire transfers. Reputable pharmacies don’t ask for payment via Cash App, Zelle, prepaid cards, or wired funds. These methods are commonly used in scams because payments are difficult to reverse.
Verify the pharmacy before you buy. Check for legitimate contact information, a working phone number, and real customer reviews. Watch for complaints about billing issues, missing shipments, or unresponsive support — your money and personal health information are both at stake.

Spot a Fake GLP-1 Offer in Less Than a Minute or Stop It Before It Reaches Your Inbox

If you’re unsure whether a message is legitimate, Bitdefender Scamio can help you assess suspicious emails, messages, or links by explaining whether something looks like a scam — and why.

Before clicking on any link, you can also check it with Bitdefender Link Checker , which scans URLs to see whether they’re associated with phishing or fraud.

And if you want to make sure you and your family are safer online, Bitdefender Premium Security helps watch for scam attempts across emails, texts, chats, and websites. It works quietly in the background, warning you in real time when something looks suspicious — so you have a chance to stop it before it turns into a financial or digital identity theft.

Source: bbb.org

FAQs

Can Ozempic be sold without a prescription?

No, Ozempic is a prescription-only medication and cannot be legally sold without a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare professional. Any website or seller offering Ozempic without requiring a prescription is a major red flag and often linked to scams or counterfeit products.

What is the most common GLP-1 scam?

The most common GLP-1 scams involve fake online pharmacies and misleading ads offering discounted medication without a prescription. Many of these offers never deliver any product.

How can I tell if a GLP-1 offer is fake?

Red flags include unusually low prices, no prescription requirement, pressure to pay quickly, requests to pay via digital wallet apps, and endorsements that seem too good to be true.