The schemers and scammers see lines of people waiting for an H1N1 vaccine and the cartoon light bulb goes on. The level of concern that drives people to stand in line also will drive people to make snap decisions to buy products that promise to stop swine flu. And, oh, there are plenty of products.

The Food and Drug Administration determined most of the products make big claims and don't follow through. A special FDA Web page warns consumers to beware of 140 illegally marketed, unapproved, un-cleared or unauthorized products related to the H1N1 flu virus.

If we start with the A's, there are 11 air purifiers. The makers claim the machines will clear your air of H1N1. Then a company makes an anti-swine flu body wash and hand sanitizers. If you are really a "do-it-yourself-er," you can buy an immunization. (That's definitely not a good idea!)

Next, as we meander through the alphabet of H1N1 black-listed products we find inhalers, 10 kits that claim to have a variety of products packaged together to protect you. There are sprays and supplements, a lot of supplements.

A few of the supplement names will make you smile: Acai Burn, Buried Treasure, CeraFlu, Extreme Immunity, Flucinex, Living Streams, Meridian Lifeforce (I don't think it's our Meridian - even though some claim there is a life force there), Miracle Reds, Royal Camu, The New Silver Solution (much better than the old) and Vitacroft.

Then there is a list of swine flu test products. That pretty much covers the black list.

The scams are popping up in the regular places. Watch for advertising on popular Web sites. Be careful of the pop-up ads. E-mail is a favorite. It's important to never click on any links in an unsolicited e-mail. Some deliver a virus to your computer - not H1N1 - but potentially deadly to your PC.

More than likely, you already have the flu-fighting basics. If not, create your own H1N1 kit. Doctors say to start with fever and pain reducers and a cold medicine. Stock electrolyte drinks in the fridge and look for a hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent ethyl alcohol. Because you'll be using the sanitizer often, it's a good idea to use a brand with a moisturizer such as aloe.

As you create your scam-free, low-cost flu kit, include a surgical mask. Go to the local home improvement store and ask for a mask rated N95. Use the mask if you know you'll be around infected people or if you become infected and will be near anyone. Keep in mind, any mask is a one-time-only use. Toss it when you take it off.

Include a healthy dose of common sense in your flu kit. Your best defense is good hygiene. Doctors say wash your hands often with soap followed by sanitizer applied to your wrists and hands. My mom told me the same thing when I was a kid, but it sounds more official when you say, "Doctors say."

Dale Dixon is president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau, a not-for-profit organization serving Southwest Idaho and eastern Oregon. Reach him at 342-4649 or ddixon@boise.bbb.org.