Shelby Shopper Shelby NC
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Page 14 - shelby shopper & info - 704/484-1047 www.shelbyinfo.com Thursday, January 12-January 18, 2023 "BRING YOUR TOOLS AND PULL YOUR PARTS,WE HAVE WHAT YOU NEED!" 4805 Anthony Farm Rd. • Kings Mountain, NC (Beside Hwy 74 East) 704-739-4633 704-739-4633 WE BUY JUNK VEHICLES! WE SELL USED VEHICLES! TEACHERS NEEDED $ 9 00 to $ 15 00 "Based on Experience & Education" "Based on Experience & Education" APPLY IN PERSON KIDS WORLD CHILD Development Center 1152 WYKE RD., SHELBY, NC 704-471-1717 per hour When it comes to New Year's resolutions, scammers know that los- ing weight and getting in shape is one of the most popular goals. This has led to a slew of scams in- volving vitamins, supple- ments, and weight loss formulas, all claiming to offer rapid results. Not only are the products themselves questionable, so are the business deal- ings of the companies peddling them. How the scam works. Most weight loss product scams start with promises that are simply too good to be true. Body wraps, topical creams, dietary supplements, pills, pow- ders, skin patches, even earrings have been ad- vertised to "melt," "flush," "burn," or "dissolve" away unwanted fat, fast. These ads usually come with some amazing before and after pictures of people who claim to have used the product, and glowing five-star reviews. Accord- ing to many recent reports, these weight loss prod- ucts often claim to have been featured on popu- lar TV shows like Shark Tank. You may see these ads on TV, in periodicals, or more commonly, on so- cial media. The sad truth is the ads are misleading and the products won't melt away fat or give you a six-pack. In fact, many contain ingredients that can be damaging to your health. To make matters worse, some of these companies engage in unscrupulous selling techniques. Dozens of consumer complaints described weight loss programs as difficult to cancel, even if the product doesn't work as claimed in the ads. Some consumers believed they were mak- ing a one-time purchase. Instead, the company re- peatedly billed their credit cards for more of the prod- uct. When they contacted customer service, they were informed that they had signed up for a sub- scription, which was only disclosed in the fine print of their original purchase. Canceling an order can be difficult and getting a refund nearly impossible. To help avoid weight loss scams, BBB recom- mends the following: • Always be wary of advertisements and cus- tomer endorsements promising "miracle" results or immediate weight loss. The Federal Trade Com- mission warns consumers that many shady weight loss products are accom- panied by false promises. For example, if an ad says their product will make you lose weight "perma- nently," you're looking at a false promise. • Don't be quick to trust endorsements. Many scammers use pictures of celebrities, TV show mentions, or well-known company logos to gain consumers' trust without their permission. Always research the company before doing business with them, no matter who supposedly endorses their product. • Avoid products that claim to help lose weight without diet or exercise. Be especially skeptical of claims that you don't have to change your eat- ing habits. Doctors, dieti- cians, and other experts agree that losing weight takes work and should be gradual. According to the Center for Disease Con- trol and Prevention, losing 1-2 pounds per week is a healthy goal and is more successful for achieving long-term weight loss. Pass up any product that promises miraculous, sud- den results without any ef- fort. • Check a product's in- gredients with the FDA. Be suspicious of taking special pills, powders, or herbs. Some products have been recalled for containing ingredients with potentially danger- ous effects. Check the list of public notifications from the FDA regarding potentially harmful weight loss products. In Canada, check with Health Canada for guidelines. • Be wary of a lack of an ingredients list. Some companies have been ac- cused of not advertising certain ingredients that can come with harmful side effects or mix ad- versely with prescription drugs. • Be wary of free trial offers, and before sign- ing up, understand all the terms and conditions. These deals can become "subscription traps" that hook consumers into ex- pensive shipments of products they did not agree to buy. Before click- ing check out or purchase, make sure the cart only in- cludes the items you wish to purchase, and does not include signing up for a subscription unless this is an option want. Be cau- tious of any contract that takes payment from your credit card until you can- cel. • When participating in online forums and chat rooms focused on weight loss and fitness topics, be wary of individuals push- ing products they claim will help quickly reach goals. • Be realistic about your fitness goals. It's hard work to lose weight. Find a program you can stic k with, preferably one that you enjoy. Does a weight loss plan require special foods? Can you cancel if you move or find that the program doesn't meet your needs? If you need help, ask your doctor for suggestions. • Research the com- pany with BBB.org before purchasing. Read reviews about the company to see if there are any complaints alleging that it's a scam. • Report the deceptive ads. Be suspicious of ri- diculously positive testi- monials on the company website. Testimonials be- come an easy marketing tool and are easily faked. These are often accom- panied by glorious before and after pictures. Beware of misleading ads for weight loss products LOCAL = GLOBAL advertise reach 503 N. Lafayette St. • Shelby, NC 704/484-1047 shelbyinfo.com your ads online and in-print SPINACH DIP 1 box (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thaw and squeeze dry 1 container (16 oz.) sour cream 1 cup mayonnaise 1 package Knorr ® Vegetable recipe mix 1 can (8 oz.) water chestnuts, drained and chopped (optional) 3 green onions, chopped • Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix. • Chill for 2 hours. • Serve with crackers, tortilla chips or vegetables.