FTC Cracks Down on Celeb Endorsements and Fake Skin-Care Ads

The Federal Trade Commission is cracking down on fake beauty products spamming your newsfeed.

In the era of fake news, it feels like no space is safe from false stories — not even the world of skin care. Products promising miracle transformations and boasting endorsements from celebrities that sound super fishy sound familiar? You've probably seen these ads online, boasting headlines like "Lose 10 Pounds In One Week — Jennifer Aniston's Secret to Staying Slim!" or "The Cream Oprah Swears By to Erase Wrinkles Overnight!"

You May Also Like

SkinControversial Cystic Acne Routine Goes Viral - Before and After Photos

SkinThe 15 Best Eye Creams

According to a statement released last month by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), a group of marketers operating under the name Tarr, Inc. has been using fake celeb-endorsements to scam beauty lovers into buying products.

The FTC also found several other tricky — and illegal — tactics used to pedal bogus beauty products. Think: Fake customer testimonies, fake websites made to look like legit media brands including Women's Health, Men's Health, Everyday with Dr. Oz, and Good Housekeeping, misleading "free" trials. After paying shipping and handling to receive a free sample of the product, consumers would end up being automatically charged $87 per month for that "miracle" wrinkle cream, according to the FTC. Despite claims of being "risk-free" or offering "100 percent satisfaction guaranteed," the scammers made it difficult to cancel subscriptions and continued charging customers.

"A vast network of online marketers and the three people behind it have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they sold more than 40 weight-loss, muscle-building, and wrinkle-reduction products to consumers using unsubstantiated health claims, fake magazine and news sites, bogus celebrity endorsements, and phony consumer testimonials," the statement reads. The FTC found that these 19 companies were in violation of the FTC Act, the Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act (ROSCA), and the Electronic Funds Transfer Act (EFTA).

In a court order filed in November, the deceptive defendants — who reportedly made $179 million by deceiving customers over five years — were ordered to pay the commission a $6.4 million fine. The court order also permanently bans them from using shady tactics like phony celeb endorsements to pedal too good to be true beauty products, dietary supplements, food or drugs, ever again.

The good news? The FTC ruling means you'll be less likely to see this kind of fake beauty news on your Facebook feed. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't still be on the lookout for potential scammers. If a product seems too good to be true (wrinkles don't disappear overnight — no matter how good the product), it probably is.

h/t: Refinery29

---

For more social media news:

---

Now, check out the best 8 skin-care tips you've ever heard of: