$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
anti-aging cream scam
Skin care products make exaggerated anti-aging claims — erasing wrinkles, reversing aging — using doctored photos and fake dermatologist endorsements to sell overpriced, ineffective creams.
“health supplement scam”
↑ 108.7%Key indicators
Usually targetsHealth-conscious consumers
Often hitsRetirees and seniors
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$640
median reported loss
Typical range$40 – $4.0K
Recovery rate~15%
Scam breakdown
1
Ads feature dramatic before-and-after photos, fake dermatologist endorsements, and fabricated clinical study results.
2
A free or low-cost trial ships a small sample while the fine print authorizes ongoing monthly charges of 80 to 120 USD.
3
The product contains common moisturizing ingredients available for a fraction of the price at any drugstore.
What to do first
Be skeptical of any skin care product claiming to reverse aging — consult a board-certified dermatologist for proven treatments.
Related terms
wrinkle cream fraudfake anti-aging serumcelebrity skin care scamHealth product scamsSocial mediaSurgingHealth-conscious consumersDietersOlder adultsRetirees and seniorsOnline shoppersUnited StatesUnited KingdomCanadawrinkle cream fraudfake anti-aging serum
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Kevin, 35, a health-conscious consumers, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate health product scams situation while using Social media. Ads feature dramatic before-and-after photos, fake dermatologist endorsements, and fabricated clinical study results.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: A free or low-cost trial ships a small sample while the fine print authorizes ongoing monthly charges of 80 to 120 USD.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: The product contains common moisturizing ingredients available for a fraction of the price at any drugstore.
The outcome
Kevin realized something was wrong when the product promises to erase wrinkles or reverse aging by 10-20 years. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Be skeptical of any skin care product claiming to reverse aging — consult a board-certified dermatologist for proven treatments. Kevin's experience shows why the product promises to erase wrinkles or reverse aging by 10-20 years and before-and-after photos show dramatically different lighting, makeup, or are clearly retouched are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- The product promises to erase wrinkles or reverse aging by 10-20 years
- Before-and-after photos show dramatically different lighting, makeup, or are clearly retouched
- A free trial automatically enrolls you in a recurring subscription with high cancellation barriers
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Be skeptical of any skin care product claiming to reverse aging — consult a board-certified dermatologist for proven treatments.
- ✓Read the full terms and conditions of any free trial offer, especially the fine print about recurring charges.
- ✓Report deceptive anti-aging product ads to the FTC and the platform where you saw them.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- The FTC has settled cases totaling hundreds of millions of dollars against anti-aging product companies for deceptive advertising and dark pattern subscription practices.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Be skeptical of any skin care product claiming to reverse aging — consult a board-certified dermatologist for proven treatments.
- ✓Read the full terms and conditions of any free trial offer, especially the fine print about recurring charges.
- ✓Report deceptive anti-aging product ads to the FTC and the platform where you saw them.
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
The FTC has settled cases totaling hundreds of millions of dollars against anti-aging product companies for deceptive advertising and dark pattern subscription practices.
FTC Consumer Sentinel 2025
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Health-conscious consumers, Dieters, Older adults, Social media users
Geographic concentration
United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia
Primary channel
Social media — Health product scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Health-conscious consumers are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The rapid increase in reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- The FTC has settled cases totaling hundreds of millions of dollars against anti-aging product companies for deceptive advertising and dark pattern subscription practices.
Source notes
- FTC Consumer Sentinel 2025
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about anti-aging cream scam
How does the anti-aging cream scam work?+
Ads feature dramatic before-and-after photos, fake dermatologist endorsements, and fabricated clinical study results. A free or low-cost trial ships a small sample while the fine print authorizes ongoing monthly charges of 80 to 120 USD. The product contains common moisturizing ingredients available for a fraction of the price at any drugstore.
What are the warning signs of anti-aging cream scam?+
The product promises to erase wrinkles or reverse aging by 10-20 years Before-and-after photos show dramatically different lighting, makeup, or are clearly retouched A free trial automatically enrolls you in a recurring subscription with high cancellation barriers
What should I do if I encounter anti-aging cream scam?+
Be skeptical of any skin care product claiming to reverse aging — consult a board-certified dermatologist for proven treatments. Read the full terms and conditions of any free trial offer, especially the fine print about recurring charges. Report deceptive anti-aging product ads to the FTC and the platform where you saw them.
Who is most at risk for anti-aging cream scam?+
This scam primarily targets Health-conscious consumers, Dieters, Older adults, Social media users. It is most commonly reported in United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and typically appears on Social media.
Is anti-aging cream scam getting worse?+
anti-aging cream scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, UK, CA, AU. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Help someone avoid this scam.
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