Don’t get caught by fake COVID-19 coronavirus cures and cons

Consumer Protection is warning Western Australians to get health information and advice about COVID-19 coronavirus from official and reliable sources and not be fooled by misinformation circulating in the community, primarily via social media.

A variety of fake cures and prevention tips are being promoted including gargling with salt water, drinking extraordinary amounts of water or certain juices and ‘vibrational healing’ – advice which is undermining efforts by authorities to properly educate the community.

Commissioner for Consumer Protection Penny Lipscombe said consumers should ignore any advice that comes from dubious sources.

“The promoters of these miracle cures and fake prevention tips are exploiting people’s fears and, in some cases, seeking to profit from them,” Ms Lipscombe said.

“I would urge people to ignore this misinformation and certainly don’t share it on social media. Instead, only rely on the information that is being provided by government health officials or well-known and established health and medical professionals.

“Consumers can best protect their health by relying on known facts not falsehoods or conspiracy theories designed to prey upon fear and anxieties.”

One of the best sources to get the facts is the dedicated State Government website (www.wa.gov.au/government/coronavirus-covid-19) which is updated regularly with the latest information. Enquiries can also be made by calling the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800

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