UNITED STATES: The FTC has taken action against four related defendants for deceptively marketing their ‘Invisible Mask’ as a scientifically proven defense against COVID-19 and other diseases. The New York-based defendants claimed that the badge worn around the neck creates a three-foot barrier of protection against 99.9 percent of all viruses and bacteria, including COVID-19, without any scientific proof that the product actually works.
Despite receiving a warning letter from the FTC in July 2020, the defendants continued to falsely advertise the Invisible Mask as a government-approved device and a scientifically proven defense against COVID-19 and other diseases. The FTC’s complaint alleges that the defendants violated the FTC Act and the Covid Consumer Protection Act through their marketing and sale of the Invisible Mask on their own website, YouTube, and Facebook, where it was called “The 1 Virus Buster Card.”
Three of the four defendants have agreed to a proposed order settling the FTC’s complaint, which will ban them from making unsupported health claims for products designed to prevent or treat COVID-19. The proposed court order will also bar the defendants from making any health-related product claims unless they have scientific evidence that the claim is true and from making misrepresentations about products’ health benefits, performance, efficacy, safety, or side effects. The order also prohibits the defendants from misrepresenting they have government approval, clearance, or authority for their products and product claims. Finally, it requires the payment of $150,000.
“The defendants’ claims that their products can stand in for approved COVID-19 vaccines are bogus,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “The FTC will use every tool it has at its disposal to stop false and unsubstantiated health claims that endanger consumers.“
Litigation continues against defendant Timothy Wetzel, who did not agree to the proposed settlement. The lead attorney on the matter is Robin L. Rock of the FTC’s Southeast Region.
The FTC works to promote competition and protect and educate consumers. Consumers can learn more about consumer topics at consumer.ftc.gov or report fraud, scams, and bad business practices at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
 has filed a complaint against four related defendants for deceptively marketing their 'Invisible Mask' as a scientifically proven defense against COVID-19 and other diseases. Despite receiving a warning letter, the defendants continued to make unsupported health claims, leading to a proposed order banning them from making such claims and requiring a payment of $150,000.){kind=link}