One of the big marketing pushes during the last several holiday gift campaigns has come from genetic testing/DNA companies. They’re an easy way to delight a curious friend or relative and finding out that you’re related to someone famous or that your family’s ancestry shows a likelihood of developing certain genetically related health conditions is always an interesting find.
However, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the law, and the state of California all say that many of the marketing claims those companies make – and sometimes the glowing reviews that accompany them – need to be examined closely before you buy one.
Recently, the FTC and California filed a lawsuit claiming CRI Genetics, a California-based DNA testing company, built misleading websites with fake reviews and ratings asserting their DNA tests were more accurate than other companies.
According to the agencies, the company also used sneaky practices to trick people into making purchases they didn't intend and prevent them from canceling or getting a refund.
To settle the case, CRI Genetics will fork over $700,000 in fines to the State of California and promise to no longer make marketing claims unless they can show they have the scientific evidence to back those claims up.
Jim Kreidler, an FTC Consumer Education Specialist, says that if you’re considering using a DNA testing service, here’s what to know.
ConsumerAffairs reviewers sound off
Make sure you don’t get charged for something you don’t want. "It’s against the law for a company to charge you for anything without your permission. If it did, contact the company to cancel and get a refund. Make sure you get — and keep — the written confirmation of the refund,” Kriedler said.
For example, Stacy from Burnsville, Minn., found when she signed up for a trial run of Ancestry, her trial was actually a trial of her patience.
“This has been an absolute nightmare for me! I signed up to just lightly try Ancestry and check out their 14-day trial period. I canceled in the window of time and have clear evidence to show this on my end,” she said in her recent review.
“Every other day I get billed 34.99 to the cash app card I used to start the trial. As neurotic as this may sound (and I admit it likely is) I have sent this company 23 emails pleading with them to stop sending me this charge and I have shown them the cancellation screenshot. I hear absolutely nothing in return, and the obvious thing would be to call which I have done and then I am told to post the screenshot of the cancellation- so I do- I have never received a single reply and within two days I am billed again.”
You also need to take a hard look at exactly what you or the giftee will be getting. As one ConsumerAffairs reviewer – Devin from Bountiful, Utah – found out with 23andMe, it costs extra money to get some information.
“You buy the product expecting to get detailed results about your health. E.g., is my heart healthy? Is depression in my genes? Are my kids allergic to nuts? But that info requires more money. Don’t worry though - the product you paid for will tell you whether you’re likely to go bald or get red cheeks when you drink. It’s just frustrating to think they could have solutions to their client's health problems but won’t divulge because their client can’t afford it,” Devin wrote.
Before you up and trust every review that you read, think about the source of those reviews. “What do you know about the reviewers that makes them trustworthy?” is Kriedler’s suggested litmus test. And by the way, ConsumerAffairs reviews are verified.
"We can predict your connection to kings and queens." It is important to be cautious of companies that claim their reports are the most accurate at predicting ancestry. Accuracy comes down to a few very important factors like the number and types of DNA samples matched with yours.
Report to the FTC. If you’re doing business with a company and you notice that you can’t easily cancel or get your money back, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Photo Credit: Consumer Affairs News Department Images
Posted: 2023-11-30 12:05:00