One of the most ubiquitous consumer frauds involves claims that products offer substantial health benefits for which there is actually little or no scientific support. For example, Power Balance recently admitted that it has no scientific basis for its claims that the Power Balance bracelet, a popular accessory endorsed by numerous celebrities and athletes, enhances athletic performance and overall well being. Power Balance, LLC, which offers “performance technology,” claims that its products work with and optimize the body’s energy field by means of special holograms, resulting in greater flexibility, performance and strength.
However, Tom O’Dowd, CEO of Power Balance Australia, recently admitted that there is no scientific basis for these claims:
In our advertising we stated that Power Balance wristbands improved your strength, balance and flexibility. We admit that there is no credible scientific evidence that supports our claims and therefore we engaged in misleading conduct in breach of s52 of the [Australia] Trade Practices Act 1974.
Mr. O’Dowd told ABC News: “We’d made claims in the start that said that our product improved strength, balance and flexibility, and we didn’t have the scientific peer-reviewed double blind testing or the level of proof that we needed to substantiate those claims."
While Power Balance is offering its customers in Australia a refund, American consumers have received no such offer.
Meiselman, Denlea, Packman, Carton & Eberz is currently investigating a potential consumer fraud class action lawsuit regarding Power Balance’s advertising claims. If you purchased a Power Balance bracelet or accessory in the United States, please contact us to discuss your legal options.