How to Avoid a Scam Clinic: A Safety Checklist

Medical tourism provides access to quality treatment, but the number of scam clinics is also growing. They promise “the best results,” “the lowest prices,” and “risk-free guarantees,” yet patients may lose money and suffer harm to their health.

The short answer: check the clinic before paying, not afterward. Use the checklist below to avoid scams.

1. No doctor is named. The clinic does not say who will perform the procedure.
2. Fake accreditations. The website displays JCI or ISO logos but provides no certificate numbers.
3. Only positive reviews. The website shows only perfect reviews, with none on independent platforms.
4. Pressure to pay. The clinic demands full payment before a consultation or threatens that you will “lose the discount.”
5. No written plan. Treatment is described only verbally, without a written protocol.
6. The license cannot be verified. The clinic does not provide a license or registration number.
7. Promises of “no risk.” The clinic claims that the procedure is “100% safe” and has “no complications.”

1. Check Accreditation

• Look for international accreditations: JCI, TEMOS, ISO.
• Verify the certificate number on the accrediting organization’s website.
• Do not trust logos that cannot be verified.

2. Check the Doctor

• Ask for the doctor’s full name, qualifications, and registration number.
• Check the doctor in the national medical register.
• Read reviews specifically about that doctor.

3. Check Reviews

• Read reviews on independent platforms such as Google, Trustpilot, and forums.
• Look for reviews with specific details, rather than generic thank-you messages.
• Pay attention to negative reviews and how the clinic responds.

4. Request a Written Plan

• Obtain a written treatment protocol before paying.
• Review the listed materials, methods, and timelines.
• Make sure the patient receives informed consent documentation.

5. Check the Price

• Obtain a written estimate covering all expenses.
• Make sure there are no hidden charges.
• Compare the price with market rates.

Before paying, make sure you have:

• The name of the accrediting organization and the certificate number.
• The doctor’s full name, qualifications, and registration number.
• A written treatment protocol.
• A written estimate covering all expenses.
• The patient’s informed consent documentation.
• Reviews on independent platforms.
• A way to contact former patients.

How can I verify a clinic’s accreditation?

Check the certificate number on the accrediting organization’s website (JCI, TEMOS).

Can I trust reviews on a clinic’s website?

No. Read reviews on independent platforms such as Google, Trustpilot, and forums.

What should I do if a clinic pressures me to pay?

This is a red flag. Look for another clinic.

Can a doctor be verified?

Yes. Check the doctor in the national medical register.

What if the clinic does not provide a written plan?

Do not agree to treatment. This is a sign of a scam.