Parents urged to beware of scams as baby formula shortage continues – WESH 2 Orlando

Parents are feeling the pressure because of the baby formula shortage. While the supply of formula runs low, emotions are running high. Keep in mind, thats what scammers are betting on, Holly Salmons said. Salmons is the president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Central Florida. She said for parents desperately trying to find formula, the highest risk is on social media. That situation is rife with opportunity of people being ripped off or being scammed, Salmons said. That is something that Sierra Clemmons is warning families about on the Finding Formula Facebook page she started in Winter Garden. RELATED:There have been some people who have said, I need this formula or I have this formula. Give me this money in order to get it. Then, it turns out the second that they get Venmoed, whatever the case, the accounts gone and they dont get the formula, Clemmons said. As a mom who is struggling with the formula shortage herself, Clemmons said she created the group to be donation only. This is all just donation out of the goodness out of our hearts, so if someone is asking for money in any way, that just pops up a big red flag, she said. There should be no exchange of money at all. If someone is asking for money for the can of formula or the liquid, thats a big red flag for me, Clemmons said. Salmons agreed, which is why she said do your homework before you click send on a payment app. Make sure that you verify, verify, verify, before you pay the money, she said. Because the last thing you need is to be stressed out, heartbroken and have those funds taken from you.Its not just the money that families should keep in mind, but something even more important. You also want to make sure that youre paying attention to the health and safety of your family and not just securing the product. Keep in mind that the seal and the expiration date are just as important, Clemmons said. If you think youve experienced a situation like this, the BBB encourages you to report it online with the Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker.

Parents are feeling the pressure because of the baby formula shortage.

While the supply of formula runs low, emotions are running high.

Keep in mind, thats what scammers are betting on, Holly Salmons said.

Salmons is the president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Central Florida.

She said for parents desperately trying to find formula, the highest risk is on social media.

That situation is rife with opportunity of people being ripped off or being scammed, Salmons said.

That is something that Sierra Clemmons is warning families about on the Finding Formula Facebook page she started in Winter Garden.

RELATED:

There have been some people who have said, I need this formula or I have this formula. Give me this money in order to get it. Then, it turns out the second that they get Venmoed, whatever the case, the accounts gone and they dont get the formula, Clemmons said.

As a mom who is struggling with the formula shortage herself, Clemmons said she created the group to be donation only.

This is all just donation out of the goodness out of our hearts, so if someone is asking for money in any way, that just pops up a big red flag, she said.

There should be no exchange of money at all. If someone is asking for money for the can of formula or the liquid, thats a big red flag for me, Clemmons said.

Salmons agreed, which is why she said do your homework before you click send on a payment app.

Make sure that you verify, verify, verify, before you pay the money, she said. Because the last thing you need is to be stressed out, heartbroken and have those funds taken from you.

Its not just the money that families should keep in mind, but something even more important.

You also want to make sure that youre paying attention to the health and safety of your family and not just securing the product. Keep in mind that the seal and the expiration date are just as important, Clemmons said.

If you think youve experienced a situation like this, the BBB encourages you to report it online with the Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker.

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Parents urged to beware of scams as baby formula shortage continues - WESH 2 Orlando