Over the past few months, ads have emerged across Facebook, Instagram and TikTok depicting famous celebrities like Kelly Clarkson, Dolly Parton and Dr. Oz raving about Keto Drops for extreme weight loss results. However, these endorsements are completely fabricated using AI deepfake technology in videos.
The Keto Drops scam uses altered images and false claims to promote these supposed “miracle drops” that will help you “lose pounds fast” without any extra effort. In reality, Keto Drops appear to be a subscription trap scam that signs people up for expensive recurring credit card charges without clearly disclosing the terms upfront.
This detailed guide will expose the deceptive techniques used in the Keto Drops scam so consumers can recognize and avoid it. We’ll examine how the scam works step-by-step to repeatedly charge customers exorbitant fees through shady advertising, concealed ordering processes and refusal to cancel subscriptions or refund charges.
Overview of the Keto Drops Scam
The Keto Drops scam operates on deceit at every stage. First, fake social media ads are proliferated online depicting celebrities like Kelly Clarkson, Dolly Parton and Dr. Oz endorsing Keto Drops for incredible weight loss. These ads use altered images and fabricated quotes to make it appear the stars recommend the drops.
Then, targets are funneled to fake news pages featuring more supposed recommendations for Keto Drops by the celebrities. High pressure sales tactics convince targets to buy Keto Drops without realizing they are being signed up for costly recurring monthly subscriptions.
Victims soon find hundreds of dollars in unauthorized Keto Drops charges hitting their credit cards repeatedly. When consumers try to cancel the unagreed upon subscriptions and recover lost money, Keto Drops scammers often ignore all requests, making it extremely difficult to stop the fraudulent billing.
This bait-and-switch scam has cost countless victims thousands through forcibly recurring credit card charges. The rest of this article will provide a detailed breakdown of the deceptive techniques used in the Keto Drops scam so consumers can protect themselves.
How the Keto Drops Scam Works Step-by-Step
The Keto Drops scammers utilize an intricate web of deceitful tactics to carry out their subscription billing fraud. Here is an in-depth, step-by-step look at how the scam operates:
Step 1: Baiting Victims with Celebrity Endorsements
The scam starts with social media ads and deepfake videos promoting Keto Drops as the weight loss secret of celebrities like Kelly Clarkson, Dolly Parton and Dr. Oz. But these celebrity endorsements are completely fabricated.
The deceptive posts feature fake quotes like “Kelly Clarkson used Keto Drops to lose 45 lbs fast!” or “Dolly Parton shares how Keto Drops melted fat and transformed her body!”
Step 2: Directing Traffic to Fake News Pages
Clicking on these scam social media ads leads targets to fake Fox News (or CNN/People) articles featuring more false celebrity recommendations for Keto Drops. These articles downplay that they will enroll buyers in costly recurring subscription plans when ordering.
Countdown timers create false urgency to purchase Keto Drops immediately before alleged discounts expire.
Step 3: Charging Credit Cards Initially
To buy Keto Drops, customers must enter credit card information. The initial charge is typically $39.95 or $49.95. But hidden fees tack on much more, hiking the total charge substantially higher.
Step 4: Enrolling Victims in Monthly Subscriptions
This is the crux of the scam. Without clearly explaining terms, ordering Keto Drops signs up customers for monthly recurring subscriptions. Victims find excessive unauthorized charges hitting their cards repeatedly.
The obscure auto-renewal agreement is buried in tiny text or designed to be overlooked during checkout. Many victims miss it entirely until the second month’s charge arrives.
Step 5: Ignoring Cancellation Attempts
When consumers eventually notice the fraudulent charges and try to halt the subscriptions, Keto Drops scammers often ignore emails and phone calls requesting cancellation. They make it extremely difficult to stop the billing.
Step 6: Refusing Refunds
Even after a victim manages to cancel the unauthorized subscription, Keto Drops scammers typically deny refund requests. They invent reasons like “no refunds on used products” to avoid returning the fraudulent charges.
In summary, the Keto Drops scam utilizes bait-and-switch tricks, celebrity deception, buried subscription clauses enabling recurring billing, refusal to cancel orders, and denial of refunds in order to unlawfully take advantage of customers. But being informed of their step-by-step tactics can help consumers avoid being scammed.
How to Identify Keto Drops Scam Websites
When looking for Keto Drops online, you must be vigilant in identifying scam websites designed solely to unlawfully charge your credit card through deceptive recurring subscriptions and fake celebrity endorsements. Here’s what to watch out for:
Recently Created Domains
The scam sites often use domains recently registered just this year or even in the past few months. This indicates a fly-by-night operation rather than an established business. You can verify the domain creation date by searching on WHOIS domain lookup websites.
Major News Logos and Branding
The scam websites are made to intentionally resemble and confuse visitors into believing they are Fox News, CNN, ABC News or other major outlets. This helps them further peddle fake celebrity endorsements and unrealistic claims by impersonating authority figures.
But look for the subtle differences. For example, “FoxNewz” instead of Fox News. They rely on typosquatting and similarities with legitimate brands.
Multiple Redirects
When you click on links in the scam Facebook or Instagram ads, you may be taken through multiple sketchy redirects before landing on the site selling Keto Drops. This is a deceptive tactic used to hide the end destination.
Watch in your browser address bar how the URL changes several times, often through affiliate link shorteners to disguise the shady endpoint site.
High Pressure Sales Tactics
Scam websites push victims to purchase through aggressive sales tactics and deception. Watch for:
- Countdown timers
- Limited time discounts
- Only few bottles left claims
- Other tactics inciting fear of missing out
Genuine businesses do not hype sales this way. These strategies demonstrate fraud.
Hidden Terms and Conditions
Buried in tiny text and pre-checked boxes is where scam sites hide their shady subscription terms enabling recurring charges. Sometimes the monthly billing and renewals section is even omitted altogether in the T&Cs!
Scrutinize the terms and conditions closely rather than ignoring blocks of text. Identify any deception in advance.
Stay vigilant to these red flags and verification steps to determine site legitimacy. Protect your payment information and don’t enter credit card details unless 100% certain of safety. Use skepticism before believing sensational claims about miracle weight loss supplements and celebrity endorsements.
Identifying Keto Drops Scams on Social Media
In addition to fraudulent websites, the Keto Drops subscription scam is proliferated through deceptive ads and posts on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and other social platforms utilizing fake celebrity endorsements. Here’s what to watch out for on each:
- Deepfake Video Ads: Scammers are deploying AI deepfake technology to create fake videos depicting Dr. Oz, Kelly Clarkson and other celebs endorsing Keto Drops. The quality continues improving but watch for odd mouth movements.
- Suspicious Clickbait Headlines: Posts use enticing headlines about major weight loss transformations or miracle results from Keto Drops. Links likely lead to sketchy sites.
- Comments Turned Off: To prevent exposure of their scam, fraudulent posts block users from commenting to question or refute the wild claims.
- Fake Profiles and Comments: Often the post appears to have enthusiastic comments but clicking on the profiles reveals stock image accounts created just to write the comment.
- Deepfake Celebrity Images: Obviously doctored before and after photos will be used alongside fake quotes to push the Keto Drops scam. Image perspective and proportions demonstrate editing tricks.
- Paid Ads in Feed: Scammers aggressively market through Instagram ads to target those aspiring for extreme weight loss. But links lead to sketchy phishing-like sites.
- Incentivized Hashtags: Watch for unique hashtags like #KetoDrops2023 with instructions to use it for a chance to win the drops. This helps proliferate more scam posts.
- Repurposed Real Photos: You may even see real photos of celebrities stolen from events or media posts and repurposed alongside false claims about Keto Drops.
TikTok
- AI Celebrity Deeptakes: Like Instagram and Facebook, doctored celebrity videos are appearing on TikTok falsely claiming outstanding weight loss results from using Keto Drops.
- Stock Videos Repurposed: Some clips utilize video of models/footage stolen from old daytime TV ads to depict shocked reactions and weight loss success tied to Keto Drops.
- Link Spam in Comments: Watch for comments on trending health-related videos redirecting users to Keto Drops phishing sites promising exclusive discounts.
- Influencer Marketing: Scammers may pay microinfluencers on TikTok to create videos with their promo links to Keto Drops sites, without disclosing it’s an #Ad.
Apply skepticism instead of taking social media posts at face value. Consider evidence indicating fakery and financial motives before believing claims about weight loss supplements like Keto Drops.
What to Do If You Fell Victim to the Scam
If you discover unauthorized Keto Drops subscription charges on your credit card statements, take the following steps:
Step 1: Contact Your Credit Card Company
Call your credit card provider immediately and explain that you are the victim of an unauthorized subscription scam. Request they block any additional recurring charges. Under consumer protection laws, customers cannot be forced into undisclosed renewals.
Step 2: Cancel Any Active Subscriptions
Contact Keto Drops customer service by phone and email to cancel all subscriptions, recurring orders and billing. Get written confirmation when possible and follow up if any charges continue.
Step 3: Dispute All Unauthorized Charges
Review statements thoroughly and dispute every Keto Drops charge made without your consent. Explain to your credit card company that you were signed up for recurring billing without authorization.
Step 4: Reject Partial Refund Offers
Do not settle for store credit, discounts on future orders, or partial refunds. All unauthorized subscription fees should be reimbursed in full through your credit card company’s chargeback process.
Step 5: Report the Scam
File detailed scam reports about Keto Drops with the FTC, BBB, and relevant review sites to help prevent further harm. Include specifics about the deceptive ads, hidden terms, billing fraud and refund denial.
Quick action is key to limiting financial losses from the Keto Drops subscription scam. Do not stop until the fraudulent charges have ceased and your money has been returned in full.
Red Flags to Spot Keto Drops Scams
Consumers can protect themselves by watching for these common red flags of Keto Drops scams:
Unrealistic Celebrity Endorsements
Be very suspicious of social posts claiming Kelly Clarkson, Dr. Oz or other big names recommend Keto Drops. Verify any celebrity endorsements through objective sources before believing them.
Aggressive Sales Tactics
Don’t trust ads or fake news pages pushing Keto Drops through countdown timers, limited time discounts or other high-pressure tactics. These create false urgency to scam customers.
Burying Subscription Details
Watch out for pre-checked subscription boxes or monthly renewals referenced only in tiny text. This shady practice obscures unwanted auto-renewals and recurring charges.
No Real Customer Reviews
Lack of objective customer reviews on the Keto Drops website or impartial review sites indicates a likely scam. Genuine companies have reviews from real buyers.
No Label Details
If the drops arrive but lack any mention of ingredients, dosing or terms on the actual product, you were likely misled by fake marketing and websites.
Staying alert for these types of red flags can help consumers avoid the financial pitfalls of recurring billing subscription traps set by Keto Drops scammers.
Tips to Avoid Weight Loss Supplement Scams
In addition to watching for the specific hallmarks of Keto Drops scams, consumers can protect themselves by following these general tips:
- Verify any celebrity endorsements through independent research before believing them.
- Stick with reputable supplement retailers and avoid any offering subscriptions or recurring orders.
- Read all website fine print carefully for monthly billing, auto-renewal, recurring shipments, or subscription terms that enable repeated charges.
- Monitor your bank and credit card statements routinely to identify any unauthorized subscription billings immediately.
- Only provide payment information through secured reputable websites, never from an ad, post or text link.
With sound skepticism and scrutiny of sellers, consumers can avoid falling prey to supplement scams like Keto Drops trying to abuse recurring billing practices.
Reporting Keto Drops Scams
If you get scammed by Keto Drops through false advertising or recurring subscription charges, make sure to report the deception:
- Better Business Bureau – File a scam report detailing the deceptive business practices.
- Federal Trade Commission – Report the Keto Drops scam to the FTC.
- State Attorney General – Contact your state AG’s consumer protection department about the fraud.
- Credit Card Company – Call your credit card provider’s fraud department for charge dispute assistance.
- Social Media Sites – Report the scam ads and posts to get them taken down.
- Review Sites – Leave reviews detailing the Keto Drops scam to warn others.
The more victims who speak out, the better chances these criminal scammers can be held accountable and prevented from harming additional consumers through subscription scams.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Keto Drops Scam
This FAQ delivers clarity regarding key aspects of the deceptive Keto Drops scam designed to unlawfully charge customer credit cards through concealed subscription traps and fake celebrity endorsements.
Are the Celebrity Endorsements Real?
No. Kelly Clarkson, Dr. Oz and other celebrities have NOT endorsed or recommended Keto Drops. The social media ads use altered images and AI deepfake video technology to falsely appear as endorsements. Verify any claims suggesting celebrity alignment before believing them.
What Health Benefits Do Keto Drops Really Offer?
The extreme weight loss and “miraculous” results touted for Keto Drops are not validated by scientific evidence. No proof exists demonstrating these supposed benefits. Health claims related to other supplements are likely recycled to make false promises about Keto Drops’ capabilities.
How Does the Scam Ensnare Victims?
The scam starts by baiting victims through fake celebrity endorsements. Targets then get funneled to misleading sales pages featuring additional false claims. Without clearly explaining terms, ordering Keto Drops signs up customers for costly hidden monthly subscriptions that repeatedly charge their credit cards.
What Are the Monthly Charges Victims Pay?
Unauthorized monthly subscription fees typically total $100 to $200 per month. Many victims end up paying thousands in recurring Keto Drops orders over 6 months before finally spotting the charges and addressing them. The obscure monthly terms are intentionally concealed during checkout.
Why Is It Difficult To Cancel Keto Drops Orders?
Scammers intentionally ignore victim requests to halt unauthorized monthly billings for Keto Drops. Emails and calls asking to cancel go unanswered. They also deny refunds while citing bogus reasons. Only aggressive efforts with bank/credit card companies to stop payments forces cancellation.
How Can Consumers Spot and Report These Scams?
Learn the common tricks like fake celebrity endorsements, phony discounts, and fabricated urgency used in ads. Carefully scrutinize terms and seller legitimacy before purchasing. Report all scams to the FTC, state attorneys general, BBB and in reviews. The more who report, the quicker these schemes can be disrupted.
The Bottom Line
In summary, Keto Drops scammers have been deceiving customers through fabricated celebrity endorsements, unrealistic claims, concealed auto-renewal terms, and denying refunds for unauthorized charges. Customers lured in by the deceptive social media marketing often pay the price through exorbitant recurring credit card billings they never agreed to.
Hopefully this detailed exposé on the Keto Drops subscription scam tactics will help consumers avoid falling into this trap. Apply extreme caution when encountering weight loss supplement ads online, scrutinizing seller legitimacy and terms closely. Those unfortunate enough to get duped by Keto Drops must act swiftly to halt unauthorized billing and recover lost funds through their credit card provider’s protections. Please share this guide to help protect others from supplement scams!
