Fake prescription savings / fake pharmacy scam

A "Canadian" or "international" pharmacy advertises prescription drugs at deep discounts, often without requiring a prescription. The site looks professional, lists "licensed" pharmacists, and offers popular drugs (Ozempic, Adderall, Viagra, oncology drugs, weight-loss medications).

What you receive — if anything — may be a counterfeit pill manufactured in unregulated facilities, inert ingredients, contaminated material, or a different drug entirely. People have died from counterfeit oxycodone laced with fentanyl ordered from these sites. The FDA seizes thousands of shipments annually.

Even when the drug is "real," sourcing prescription medication outside the US regulatory system is illegal and you have no recourse if anything goes wrong.

• Prescription drugs sold without a prescription.
• Prices dramatically below US pharmacy prices, even after manufacturer-coupon comparison.
• Shipping from China, India, Singapore, or "Canada" with overseas customer service.
• No verifiable US pharmacy license.
• The site impersonates GoodRx or a real US chain.
• Payment via wire, crypto, or money order only.
• "Limited time," "stockout-coming" urgency around prescription drugs.
• No requirement to upload a doctor's prescription.

1. Real online pharmacies require a valid US prescription. No exceptions.
2. Look up the pharmacy on the NABP "Safe Pharmacy" verification at safe.pharmacy.
3. Verify the pharmacy's state license with your state's board of pharmacy.
4. For Canadian pharmacies specifically, check the Canadian International Pharmacy Association (CIPA) verification — but be aware that many sites falsely claim CIPA membership.
5. Real savings are available through manufacturer copay assistance programs, GoodRx, Costco Pharmacy, and similar legitimate routes.

• Do not take the pills. Counterfeit drugs can be deadly.
• Save the packaging, pills, and any documentation for evidence.
• Report to the FDA's MedWatch at fda.gov/medwatch.
• Report to the FTC and IC3.
• Talk to your doctor about a legitimate prescription path for the medication you needed.
• Dispute the credit-card charge as fraud or undelivered goods.
• Monitor your health. If you took anything from an unverified source, talk to a doctor immediately.

• Do not take pills purchased from unverified online pharmacies.
• Do not assume "looks real" means "is real" — counterfeit packaging is sophisticated.
• Do not order again after one disappointment.
• Do not share photos or reviews that might encourage others to order.

• FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov — the broadest US fraud intake; reports flow to thousands of law-enforcement agencies.
• FBI IC3: ic3.gov — the right destination when the scam is internet-enabled (phishing, BEC, romance, crypto).
• CFPB: consumerfinance.gov/complaint — for complaints about banks, money transmitters, payment apps, credit cards, debt collection.
• IdentityTheft.gov — if any identity information (SSN, driver's license, account credentials) was shared.
• Your bank or payment platform. Call the number on the back of your card or use the app's in-product help. Time matters — wires can sometimes be recalled within hours; ACH and Zelle are harder but worth trying.