As the price of prescription drugs continues to rise, people may find themselves searching online for more affordable medications, according to the AARP Fraud Watch Network.

But beware of bogus companies that take your money and never send you the product — or worse — send you a product that could harm you.

To confirm whether an online company is legitimate, check reviews of other customers, check the spelling of their advertisements, and find out if they have a physical location and phone number where they actually pick up the phone, said Maine AARP’s Jane Margesson.

“Also, always use your credit card!” she said. Never wire money, never use a debit card or gift card/green card numbers.

And be sure to read the print on prescription drug coupons you find online. Your  purchase may not count toward your deductible or you may discover the coupon expires after a certain number of refills.

AARP’s Fraud Watch Network recommends reporting scams to local law enforcement.

For more information about preventing fraud, go to www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.

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AARP, fraud watch
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