Buyer Beware of Online CPR Scams

A public service announcement provided by the Health & Safety Institute. We invite you to share a link to this page from your website to educate all first responders about this unfortunate practice.

They’re everywhere on the Internet: seemingly legitimate organizations offering “instant” CPR or first aid certification for busy people who are required to hold current certification. And it often says right on those websites that online-only CPR or first aid certification is “nationally accepted“. It is not. No major nationally recognized training program in the United States endorses certification without practice and evaluation of hands-on skills.

What to Avoid When Shopping Online for Training
Common buzzwords and phrases to look for:

• Online CPR cards, download instantly
• Download your certification card right after finishing your course
• No hands-on skills required
• 100% online
• Immediate certificate or wallet card
• Have your card/be certified today
• Nationally validated, nationally recognized = there is no nationally accrediting or governing body for emergency care training
• Full refund if not accepted

Blended Learning Is Not Online-Only Learning

Blended learning is a training delivery model that combines online course content with in-person, hands-on skills evaluation. Online-only training features no hands-on component.

For More Information on these scam sites please visit the following link.

http://www.onlineonlycprfirstaidsham.com

Take Action!

File a Complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

When consumers see or hear an advertisement, whether it’s on the Internet,  radio or television, or anywhere else, federal law says that ad must be truthful, not misleading, and, when appropriate, backed by scientific evidence. The Federal Trade Commission enforces these truth-in-advertising laws, and it applies the same standards no matter where an ad appears. Complaints help the FTC and other law enforcement agencies bring scam artists to justice and put an end to unfair and misleading business practices.

If you have a complaint, file it online at http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/media/video-0054-how-file-complaint or call 1-877-FTC-HELP.