High riskHealthcare & Medical Scams

Telehealth Prescription Scam

In this scam, a fake telehealth or online doctor service offers quick prescriptions or consultations, takes payment and sensitive health data, then provides no real care, unsafe medication, or nothing at all.

Quick verdict

Risk level
High risk
Scam type
Fake service (telehealth)
Main red flag
An online doctor service offering quick prescriptions with no proper checks.
What to do first
Use licensed, verifiable telehealth providers and registered pharmacies.

What this scam usually looks like

In this scam, a fake telehealth or online doctor service offers quick prescriptions or consultations, takes payment and sensitive health data, then provides no real care, unsafe medication, or nothing at all.

Example message pattern

Example pattern — not a real report
Example pattern: 'Get any prescription online in minutes, no appointment needed! Pay and enter your health details to start.'

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

Red flags to watch for

  • Prescriptions offered with no proper medical checks
  • An unverifiable provider or unregistered prescriber
  • Requests for sensitive health and payment data
  • Pressure to pay quickly
  • Medication shipped from an unverified pharmacy

What to do

  • Use licensed, verifiable telehealth providers and registered pharmacies
  • Check the prescriber's registration
  • Be cautious about sharing health and payment data
  • Pay by a method you can dispute

If you already clicked or replied

  • If you paid, contact your bank and watch for charges
  • Do not take medicine from an unverified source
  • Monitor for misuse of your health data
  • Report the provider to your medicines regulator

What not to do

  • Do not use online doctors with no proper checks
  • Do not take medicine from unverified pharmacies
  • Do not share health and card details with unverified services

Similar scams

High risk Online Shopping

Online Pharmacy Scam

In this scam, a rogue online pharmacy advertises cheap prescription medicine with no prescription required, then takes your money and card details and ships nothing, counterfeit pills, or unsafe products.
High risk Email

Patient Portal Email Scam

This scam emails that you have new test results, a medical bill, or a required portal verification, linking to a fake patient-portal login that captures your health, identity, and payment details.
Medium risk Online Shopping

Miracle Supplement Scam

In this scam, a supplement is marketed with miracle weight-loss or health-cure claims and a 'free trial', then traps you in costly recurring charges and ships products that do not work and may be unsafe.

Frequently asked questions

How do I use telehealth safely?
Use licensed, verifiable providers with registered prescribers and registered pharmacies, and be cautious about sharing health and payment data.
Is 'any prescription, no appointment' safe?
No. Prescriptions without proper medical checks are unsafe and a scam sign. Genuine care involves appropriate assessment by a registered prescriber.
I paid and got medicine. Is it safe?
Do not take medicine from an unverified source. Consult a pharmacist or doctor, contact your bank, and report the provider.
How do I check a provider is genuine?
Verify the service and prescriber with your health regulator, and use registered pharmacies for any medication.

Last reviewed: June 2026

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.