PT Barnum must be Perry Belcher's business guru.
Perry Belcher, the founder of a company called Selmedica was arrested in late March for the scams he has perpetrated on unsuspecting and desperate patients. My colleague and fellow patient advocacy enthusiast, Mary Shomon, alerted us to the arrest through an email. I could almost see her jump for joy, right off my computer monitor!
It seems this man has been defrauding patients for years through a variety of means, all through the internet. He has concocted elixirs and substances to treat any number of diseases, claiming they are FDA approved, and which really either did nothing or -- worse case -- may have harmed those who took them.
They certainly harmed patients who were expecting good outcomes. Those folks paid for bogus drugs, then took these substances instead of being treated by someone who was trained to help them.
Further, Perry Belcher sold books on his websites which he claimed were written by medical experts -- and weren't.
The local Better Business Bureau reports more than 100 complaints against this guy -- and counting. The Shelby County, Tennessee Sheriff's Department is hoping to hear from patients who have purchased any materials from Belcher.
What can smart, empowered patients take away from this?
When in doubt, remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it is. The internet is a wonderful and powerful medium, but... It has given rise to a whole new group of people who get swayed by promises that can't be kept, and provides a new opportunity for shysters to line their pockets by stealing money from those folks who foolishly believe in bogus miracle cures.
PT Barnum made his fortune on those suckers born every minute. Please make sure you aren't one of them.
If you’re going to quote Barnum at least do him the courtesey of getting it right. He said, “A customer is born every minute”
Totally different from what you are implying.
Well there, Duke… your post gave me pause, so I looked it up and — sure enough — you are absolutely right! I found this reference that explains that P.T. Barnum is often misquoted.
In fact, it turns out that one of his competitors, a man named David Hannum, a part owner of the Cardiff Giant, was the one who set out to profit from “suckers.”
The irony? I live not far from the Cardiff Giant’s resting place, and visited it when I was a kid….
So, thanks for the history lesson, Duke
Trisha