Raoul Warns Of Scammers Taking Advantage Of IL Baby Formula Shortage

CHICAGO — Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is asking residents to be wary of scammers who may be trying to take advantage of those affected by the shortage of baby formula across the state.

Raoul said that residents should be extremely careful of where they are getting their baby formula, especially when it comes to online sales. He said that anyone who believes they have been the victim of an online scam or of price gouging should not hesitate to contact the Attorney General’s office to report possible scams.

“The baby formula shortage continues to impact families across Illinois. On top of the stress of locating formula, people must also be on the lookout for scammers looking to take advantage of families’ desperation,” Raoul said in a news release “I urge anyone affected by this shortage to be vigilant for potential scams that could result in financial losses or — more seriously — the inadvertent purchase of unsafe products.”

Raoul is encouraging residents to remain vigilant as the baby formula shortage continues. He said that consumers should follow guidance issued by the Federal Trade Commission and Better Business Bureau and should follow the following guidelines when it comes to purchasing baby formula:

• Research the business selling the product before you make a purchase.
• Consider how you are being asked to pay. For instance, credit cards provide the strongest protections, while payment methods of gift cards, money transfers, or cryptocurrency are indications of a scam.
• Be aware, that some review websites claim to be independent but are funded by scammers.
• Be on the lookout for positive reviews on the website that have been copied from honest sites or created by scammers.
• Be cautious if you discover no indication of a brick-and-mortar address or if the address appears on a Google map as a parking lot, residence, or business unrelated to what is listed on the website.
• Misspellings, grammatical errors, or other descriptive languages that are inconsistent with the product are often a sign of a scam.
• Be cautious with sellers that advertise on a social media platform that may be communicative only until the payment is made. Once the payment clears, they may be unreachable.

Consumer Protection Division protects Illinois consumers and businesses victimized by fraud, deception, and unfair business practices. Individuals who want to report a complaint of fraud or price gouging relating to baby formula should visit the Attorney General’s website or call the Attorney General’s Consumer Fraud hotlines, including in Chicago at 1-800-386-5438.