News & Updates
The Latest on Internet Pharmacies, Supplements, Designer Drugs,
and Other High-Risk Merchants
Are Synthetic Cannabinoids Behind Recent Vaping-related Lung Injuries?
As of early December, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 48 deaths and nearly 2,300 hospitalizations associated with e-cigarettes and vaping. While the CDC has identified many brands responsible for the outbreak, there is still considerable uncertainty about what substance in vaping products is causing these illnesses. New research has left…
Etizolam Use Surges as Unapproved Xanax Alternative
Etizolam, also known as thienodiazepine, is related to a class of substances known as benzodiazepines. Typically sold in a powder or tablet form, etizolam has gained prominence in the illicit drug market in recent years due to its similarity to other popular benzodiazepines, or “benzos,” such as Xanax and Valium. Etizolam was originally developed for…
Don’t Get Burned By Merchants Selling Ear Candles
Ear candling, also referred to as “coning,” is a popular practice believed to draw wax and other impurities out of the ear. Despite their widespread availability, these products are unapproved medical devices that can leave both consumers and payment service providers burned. Read on to find out what these products are and the regulatory framework…
Laughing Gas: A Serious Matter for Consumers and Payment Service Providers
Nitrous oxide, a colorless and odorless gas, is becoming increasingly popular around the world as a party drug that goes by many names — “laughing gas,” “hippy crack,” and “whippets,” among others. LegitScript has noticed a growing trend of nitrous oxide appearing on websites and e-commerce platforms, being marketed in ways that indicate use for…
The Proliferation of Ketamine Infusion Clinics Presents Opportunities and Uncertainty
In a cautious win for off-label prescribing, one of the world’s most commonly used drugs for more than 50 years has recently evolved into what can only be described as a phenomenon in the treatment of severe depression and suicidal ideation. Ketamine — a psychoactive analgesic (pain-blocking) sedative — is considered by many in the…
LegitScript Study Shows Widespread Problems and Potential Dangers in Online CBD Market
Over the past six months, LegitScript’s analysts and policy experts have been conducting a research project to better understand the online CBD landscape. We’ve looked at the state of compliance, the safety and accuracy of products, and issues around payment processing. What we found in this landmark report is nothing short of disturbing for both…
LegitScript Named a Top Workplace for 2019
We’re pleased to announce that LegitScript has been named a 2019 Top Workplace in Oregon, an honor it has held three previous times, including last year. The award, which is issued by The Oregonian, is determined by feedback collected from anonymous employee surveys and analyzed by an independent third party. LegitScript was one of only…
E-money: A Case Study of Human Trafficking (Part 2)
In Part 1 of our series, we discussed electronic money and the rules that have allowed e-money institutions to flourish in the European Union with less regulations than banks. This week, we look at an example of how these European businesses have real and widespread influence on criminal operations in the US. A Haven…
E-money: How Payment Complexity in Europe Facilitates Cybercrime in the US (Part 1)
Although electronic money has been around for decades, advancements in technology and new ways of processing payments are making it easier than ever to digitally store, send, and receive money. On the backend, however, e-money processing can be surprisingly complex, as transactions often pass through multiple entities to get from sender to receiver. It’s this…
Why Are Supplement Ingredient Names So Confusing?
Have you ever heard of 1-(4-hydroxybenzyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-6,7-diol or 4-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]phenol? Probably not. How about higenamine or hordenine? That may be more likely, but did you know that 1-(4-hydroxybenzyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-6,7-diol and higenamine are actually the same ingredient? The same is true for 4-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]phenol and hordenine. Ingredient names can be confusing because manufacturers don’t always follow guidelines set by the…