RESIDENTS are being warned to protect their money, as well as their health, and stay away from online slimming pills after a surge in people recently fell victim to scams.

People have reported losing between £80 to £200 after signing up to ‘free trials’ of slimming pills or cosmetics advertised on social media such as Facebook.

Although the adverts promise that only payment for ‘postage and packaging’ is required, consumers soon discover that significant sums have been taken from their bank accounts after they have signed up and provided their bank details.

Peter Holmes, from watchdog Worcestershire Regulatory Services, said: “We’ve recently seen a real surge in scam reports relating to slimming pill and cosmetic trials.

"Aside from the money, purchasing pills and cosmetics from an unknown source has other inherent dangers. Taking non-prescribed pills from someone you don’t know and can’t trace is fraught with risk.

"We have already seen the tragic effects of some fat burning pills that can contain the industrial chemical DNP. This substance can cause severe reactions in the human body and even death."

The warning comes after student Eloise Parry, 21, died in April after taking more than the recommended dose of diet pills she bought on the internet.

West Mercia Police said that the pills contained a quantity of dinitrophenol, also known as DNP, a highly toxic chemical.

Mr Homes added: “We would advise the public to protect their health and bank accounts by only purchasing legitimate products from trusted reputable suppliers.”