BBB Diet Scam List

Here are some of the weight-loss products that the Better Business Bureau has listed on its Web site as unsatisfactory due to their empty promises and unscrupulous business practices:

Metacor's Weight Loss Pill

The Better Business Bureau serving Denver and Boulder has received complaints from consumers in six states who thought they were paying to take part in medical trial tests for a new weight-loss drug. The company, Metacor — also known as Progenics, Inc. - is advertising on the Internet, noting that people who are interested should "enroll" in their program, pay $144 up front, and then take a special new weight loss pill every day for two years. For their trouble, the company promises to refund the $144 after the first month and compensate consumers $319.73 each month. Complainants allege that they paid the required $144, received pills, and never heard from the company again; they never received a refund, compensation, or additional pills.

Wu-Yi Source's Weight-Loss Tea

The Better Business Bureau serving Eastern Washington, North Idaho & Montana has received complaints from 19 states for Wu-Yi Source – a company that maintains a Billings, MT drop-box address. Wu-Yi Source offers a 100 percent "iron-clad" refund for their weight-loss tea. But dozens of consumers say that when seeking a refund, company reps provided vague answers, told them to use the products for 4-6 weeks, and questioned whether they were dieting and exercising. Consumers allege that the company is merely using a stall tactic to get them to go past the 60-day mark so the company doesn't have to honor its refund policy.

Changes International's Hypnosis Session

The Better Business Bureau serving Dallas and Northeast Texas has received complaints from across eight states for Changes International Inc. The company promises "QUIT SMOKING & LOSE WEIGHT in one brief HYPNOSIS SESSION" and offers a 100 percent money back 10-year guarantee if the hypnosis doesn't work. Until confronted by The Better Business Bureau, the company attempted to instill trust in consumers by falsely claiming in online and print advertising that they were "the only organization of our kind endorsed by the Better Business Bureau." Complainants report paying more than $250 for the hypnosis seminar and a set of CDs, and allege that the hypnosis is ineffective and that the company doesn't honor its refund policy.

Fat-Dissolving Injections

The Better Business Bureau serving the St. Louis metro area has received more than 350 complaints and reports about a company called GO FIG, INC–doing business as fig. and Advanced Lipo Dissolve Center – a company that administered fat-dissolving micro-injections for upwards of $10,000. The procedure is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and complainants allege the injections were ineffective and caused extensive swelling and pain. Reports to The Better Business Bureau also reveal improper billing practices and difficulty obtaining refunds. The St. Louis-based company went out of business suddenly in December citing "economic conditions" and shut 17 of its 18 offices nationwide – however, many other companies across the country currently offer similar procedures.