WASHINGTON, D.C. — Federal officials are warning families seeking help for substance use disorders to be cautious of deceptive online treatment ads that could steer them away from legitimate care.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said Friday that some businesses are using paid ads on search engines to impersonate real treatment centers. The announcement came ahead of International Overdose Awareness Day on Sunday. In some cases, the ads use the name of a well-known program but list the scammer’s phone number instead of the actual clinic’s number.

Officials encouraged people searching for treatment to review online results carefully. They emphasized the importance of verifying programs before sending money or sharing personal information. Families can find verified help at FindTreatm

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