It's funny how things can snowball. I have been getting quite a few hits from messageboards and forums, which is great, because it means the word about these scams is spreading. Anyhoo, I randomly followed one link back to a forum for Motor Neuron Diseases and found that one of the people there had uncovered another scam site. I pulled at that little thread, and surprise! Solutions by Nature, while not as comprehensive as some of the scams I have found, is still a scam.
Like most of the scam I have found there is a common pattern: The products all end with "ical", and there seems to be an emerging pattern for the diseases and conditions covered. The ones I keep coming across on the scam sites are (in no order) Lipoma, Motor Neuron Disease, Peyronie's Disease, Sjogren's Syndrome, Grave's Disease and Achlasia.
Why? My guess is that these conditions get the most hits from the search engines and the other scam operations that particular scammer may own. Therefore these conditions would be set up first, giving more potential bang for the buck.
Or maybe the word hasn't yet spread for these conditions like it has for some of the others, like Parkinson's? I am hoping to help change that.
The Solutions By Nature sites all look identical.
Funny about those testimonials, they are exactly the same ones as for Achnical, Epdiical, Vagrical, Mopical, Motical, Noprical, Banical and Garcical. And all the other 55 products.
Here is the list of the diseases and sites covered by them (list last updated Sept 6th 2009).
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Abdominal Adhesions |
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Achlasia |
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Actinic Keratosis |
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Alopecia |
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Atrial Fibrillatin |
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Bell's palsy |
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Benign essential tremor |
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Blepharitis |
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Bronchiectasis |
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Bullous pemphigoid |
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Burning mouth syndrome |
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Cellulitis |
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Costochrondritis |
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Delayed Ejaculation |
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Emphysema |
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Epididymitis |
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Eye Bags |
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Flatulence |
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Folliculitis |
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Ganglion cyst |
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Gastroparesis |
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Granuloma Annulare |
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Grave's disease |
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Grover's Disease |
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Guillain-Barre Syndrome |
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Hand Tremors |
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Hernias |
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Hidradenitis Suppurativa |
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Hydrocele |
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Hyperhidrosis |
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Ichthyosis |
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Inclusion body myositis (IBM) |
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Keloids |
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Keratosis Pilaris |
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Lichen Planus |
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Lipoma |
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Melasma |
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Motor Neuron Disease |
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Myasthenia Gravis |
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Myelitis |
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Narcolepsy |
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Osteomyelitis |
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Pemphigus |
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Peripheral Neuropathy |
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Peyronie's Disease |
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Polycystic Kidney Disease |
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Polycythemia Vera |
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Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR |
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Porphyria (All 6 kinds?) |
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Post-Polio Syndrome |
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Premature Gray Hair |
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Prickly Heat |
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Rectal prolapse |
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Retinal Vein Occlusion |
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Retinitis Pigmentosa |
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Scleroderma |
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Sebaceous Cyst |
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Seborrheic Keratosis |
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Sjogrens Syndrome |
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Tinea Versicolor |
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Trigenimenal Neuralgia |
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Urethritis |
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Uveitis |
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Vocal Cord Nodules |
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Waldenstrom's
Macroglobulinemia |
This is the so-called "contact information" for these people (Always a different country: Denmark this time).
Email
[email protected]
Mail
Solutions by Nature
PO Box 2175
Paleagade 7
DK-1231
KBH K
Denmark
While I was researching this stuff, I kept getting pulled back to another herbal product, AcnEase. I eventually realized that the Solutions By Nature text -huge chunks of it, including at least two of the testimonials, have been pulled directly from the AcnEase site. The even funnier thing is this. The AcnEase site seems to be legit! I can't say if their product works, and there have been mentions "out there" of the product not working and them not honoring the refund policy. But it seems to be legit, or at least; a more believable scam. I am interested in why this is the case? I might explore this a little further in another post.
Lastly I am sending a plea to you guys out there who may be reading this: If you find a poduct that you think is a scam, let me know either by e-mail or in the comments. I may be able to find related sites and put more information together about the larger operation, if any. I am (unfortunately) becoming rather intimately acquainted with how these guys operate, the products they use and many of the patterns that seem to repeat; again and again.
My daughter and I were in a theme restaurant yesterday. On the wall was one of those signs reproducing an advertisement from yestercentury. The ad copy was boosting witch hazel's amazing curative powers. Curiously, witch hazel and these "-ical" supplements seem to do the same thing: everything! Except, witch hazel also cures cholera. Yeah, I know! I was surprised, too! Anyways, witch hazel is a lot cheaper, and, what with also curing cholera, is obviously the better bargain for the conscientious snake oil consumer.
Posted by: yanub | July 31, 2009 at 12:41 AM
Notice, too, that many of the disorders are very borderline in nature; either borderline diagnosable or borderline treatable, with clouds of opinion and pseudoscience surrounding them. This allows the outcome expectations to be kept conveniently low.
Also, and even more interesting, many have appeared as the "guest" disease on popular television shows such as "House" and the like. They have self-advertising built right in.
Posted by: William Bilbro | August 11, 2009 at 07:34 PM
Thanks for this website. Unforetunately I fell to it myself as well, figured it was worth the try. But when I got my shipment from Pakistan, I immediately knew something was definately wrong. So I lost $85, but am an experience richer on online scams. Never thought I would fall for them, but when it comes to health you shut down some of your internal sensors, I guess. Anyway, I will probably write a blog about it myself, allthough it is pretty embarassing.
Thanks again!
Posted by: eelco | August 21, 2009 at 09:33 AM
I was almost fooled, even had made the request, but after making some research on the product name, I found this site that made it clear to a coup.
The request is directed to another site, which I believe is a company that makes the transaction credit card, there is the possibility of cancellation, which occurred through the information on the number of credit card, purchase order number and email.
I hope that this really happened, because I received confirmation of cancellation, below the site responsible for the transaction:
CCNow Client Services
[email protected]
Posted by: MARIGELSON ANTONIO DE OLIVEIRA | September 20, 2009 at 07:17 AM
I would love to know if the ccnow site is real? I have also made an order.. but it was just a day ago and have made the cancellation like Marigelson. Will the cancellation be really successful and it will not be charged to my account?
Posted by: wul | September 26, 2009 at 05:29 AM
Wul,
CCNow is a real company, owned by Digital River, which is traded publicly here in the US.
The problem they have (if you read the fine print) is that Solutions by Nature must approve the cancellation. However as product has probably not been shipped (from Pakistan) yet, your card should not have been charged in the first place; -here in the US your card may not be charged until product is shipped.
If your card has been charged so quickly, contact CCnow and threaten a dispute with your credit card company. If they refuse to return your money, contact your credit card company and make a fuss. Make sure you stress the date you ordered and the date you were charged. You will get your money back.
OSM
Posted by: One Sick Mother | September 26, 2009 at 08:04 AM
Thanks for the prompt reply OSM. However, my transaction was made through debit card and not credit card. The amount has already been deducted from my bank. I live outside the US hence I'm unsure how the transactions with CCNow works. Does CCNow do refunds to bank accounts ?
Posted by: wul | September 26, 2009 at 09:01 AM
Wul,
I did a post on this recently, when a FOAF gave me some info.
http://onesickmother.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/09/getting-your-money-back.html
However it doesn't answer your direct question. I am no expert, but I figure if they can take money from your bank through a debit card, they can put it back in the same way (but most companies don't like to do it that way round!)
Contact your bank, explain the situation and see what they can do. I'm sure they will want to help.
OSM
Posted by: One Sick Mother | September 26, 2009 at 10:59 AM
Thanks OSM. You've really been a great help. I just wish I had done more research and found your site yesterday before placing an order, especially when I had found the site pretty fishy in the first place. But you're right. It's that HOPE. Anyways, thank you once again for your wonderful site!
Posted by: wul | September 26, 2009 at 12:46 PM
What do you know about Hismatex for emphysema?
Here is the website.
http://hismatax.com/ingredients.php
It comes from Rome, which is doubtful
Here is another site that compares three, probably all made by same person
Hope you know something.
http://www.emphysema-options.com/
Nancy Appleton
Posted by: Nancy appleton | September 28, 2009 at 11:40 AM
Nancy,
I think you mean Hismatax, which is a scam http://onesickmother.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/09/botanical-sources-scam.html
...and you are right, the other site is also documented here as a scam
http://onesickmother.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/07/spah-the-medical-scam-clearinghouse.html
There is a list of all the scams I have found on the left side of this site, under the heading "Scams"
I hope this helps.
OSM
Posted by: One Sick Mother | September 28, 2009 at 12:14 PM
I almost fell for the Keratosis Pilaris one. Almost... Seemed too good to be true so lucky I do my research.
Posted by: Lauren | September 28, 2009 at 10:48 PM
Is Lichreton a legit product? It was on the same page that took me to the Pilarical. http://lichreton.com. Much appreciated if someone could check that out.
Posted by: Lauren | September 28, 2009 at 10:56 PM
Lauren,
No. It is a scam.
http://onesickmother.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/07/gordons-herbal-research-center-scam.html
Posted by: One Sick Mother | September 29, 2009 at 12:27 AM
Thank you for exposing these sick twisted indeviduals. I was a victim of their demented scam.
I just hope no one else falls into their trap.
Barbara
Posted by: Barbara Davis | October 02, 2009 at 09:47 AM
Nothing like someone who can't spell individuals. :( grammar is taken for granted. And that's pretty sick that people can honestly scam off of genuinely sick people. This world is shot to hell imo. At least they haven't made a Multiple Sclerosis scam yet. That would anger me seeing as I have it.
Posted by: Lauren | October 03, 2009 at 09:21 PM
So sad, like all the others responding I too am looking for a cure product for COPD. Thank God I didn't order before I saw this website. But you know what? I'm still looking for that cure.
Posted by: Bill Peck | October 06, 2009 at 03:59 PM
Thanks for your great web site! When looking for treatments for something as simple as a sebaceous cyst I found the Banical site. What a laugh! I could see though the hype pretty quickly, but I work for a hospital. Hope others stumble across your site before they are duped into spending hard earned money for baseless promises.
Posted by: Laura | October 27, 2009 at 11:10 AM
Thank you for your time to look out for more victims. I have a lipoma and I have searched the world over for a cure. I haven't bought anything yet, but it's not because I haven't been looking.
But after your research, I will just let it be.
Thank you for revealing these scams, it will save me the time and expense.
Thank you again.
Dalton,
Denison Texas
Posted by: R D Dalton | November 16, 2009 at 10:52 AM
Hi. I've come across the following website:
http://www.herbchina2000.com/therapies/NTS.shtml
Please let me know if you have any knowledge of this being a scam?
Thanks
Firoz
Posted by: Firoz | December 07, 2009 at 04:22 PM
Firoz,
I haven't been able to research it is depth yet. It seems to prepare custom herbal formulations for different ailments, like Eastern doctors do.
However, Here is the big difference: You have no idea who is behind this site. It could be random stuff cut-and-pasted off the Internet. Real Eastern doctors train for YEARS to understand these herbs. They also will examine the patient and the formulation they prepare will be based on how the patient *presents*, not on whatever Western diagnosis the patient has. If you are intersted in seeking this kind of medical treatment, I recommend you do it properly and find a real Eastern practicioner. Otherwise, you will be doing roughly the same thing as taking Western drugs without medical guidance or a prescription, and either option can hurt you.
OSM
Posted by: One Sick Mother | December 08, 2009 at 09:38 AM
Freeked when I read about Solutions by Nature here RIGHT AFTER I had just ordered it (pilarical). Spoke with CCNow to cancel order less than 12 hours after (as per information above - Thank You). Will hopefully work or I will follow up with my credit card company.
What convinced me to try was info. on this site: http://keratosisproducts.com/
Thank You So Much for the info. I'll check future prospecive purchases more thoroughly.
Posted by: Lee | December 09, 2009 at 10:08 AM
In my research I have come to find that many of these ailments seem to stem from all forms of toxins taken in by our bodies. Herbal remedies I believe ,if genuine, will help. The other route that appears to be legitimate would be a form of detox. I am currently looking into sauna therapy with also involves taking vitamins, minerals and a calcium-magnesium mix to replenish vital nutrients and niacin to help excrete the toxins. This program is outlined in L. Ron Hubbard's book "Clear Body, Clear Mind" and is being used by the "New York Rescue Worker's Detoxification Project" (formed to help 911 rescue worker's health) with great results.
Another detox. I am considering (for faster results) is zeolite. Do you or anyone else know anything about this?
Posted by: Lee | December 09, 2009 at 10:35 AM
All I can say is, Thank you! My husband suffers from lichen planus and I was about to visit the plenical site. Thanks to you we won't get taken advantage of.
Posted by: Monica | December 13, 2009 at 10:48 AM
I have lost $80 on Garvical for my father's myasthenia gravis that is in a severe state, can't hardly breathe, eyes droopy, sees double, loss of muscle stamina in neck and jaw. Should have googled the company first and would have found SCAM!! I ordered on 11/24/09 and still haven't got order on 12/16/09. I emailed their so-called shipment status all is says it shipped. My order was coming from inside the US in N Carolina. I thought this was legit because we were on the Mayo Clinic website looking up the disease and the links to these (there were 3 other products advertised)were right there on the clinic's site. Ridiculous!! I will call CCNOW tomorrow and threaten with the credit card company. They already charged it to my card quickly. Thanks for this blog, just too late on my part, but good lesson learned.
Janay
Posted by: Janay | December 16, 2009 at 02:34 AM