Always read the fine print or risk paying the price when being tempted by
ads on social networking sites
Social networkers are advised to read the fine print when responding to online advertisements found on Facebook, MySpace or other social networking sites, including blogs, because the large print doesn't always tell the whole story.
Social networking sites are now more popular than e-mail, and $1.3 billion is forecast to be spent on social networking advertising in 2009. So, from your BBB, here are three examples of misleading ads for weight-loss products, work-at-home business ventures and an offer of a "free" laptop computer that recently appeared on social networking sites.
The Pitch: Lose 4 Dress Sizes
The claim of losing four dress sizes, as well as an endorsement by Oprah, was part of a recent pitch to sell acai berry supplements as a weight-loss miracle. The ads linked consumers to blogs that looked like testimonials from satisfied customers. However, the fine print revealed that consumers could get billed as much as $87.13 every month if they did not cancel before the trial period ends, and the trial period would begin from the moment the customer ordered the supplements instead of the date when the products were delivered.
The Pitch: Learn How I Make $67,000 a Year Being a Stay-at-Home Mom!
Stay-at-home moms were told they could earn $67,000 a year by working only 10 hours a week, according to a blog written by "Sarah Roberts." Another questionable blog was ostensibly written by newly married Jason, who claimed he made "around $5,500 to $7,000 a month from Google." According to the BBB, the blogs redirected readers to websites where they could sign up for a free, seven-day trial access on how to make money from home. Even though the "free" trial supposedly costs only $1.95 to $2.95, the fine print said that consumers would be charged up to $69.90 every month if they did not cancel within seven days from signing up, and the company would not provide refunds.
The Pitch: Get a Free Purple [Red, Pink, Green, Black,] MacBook.
A free purple, red, pink or green Macbook computer was promised to consumers who would agree to volunteer as laptop testers. However, the links led to an incentive marketing program where participants had to use their credit card to purchase vitamin supplements or DVD rental services. Another site required participants to pay $1,500 for furniture or a travel package with a minimum value of $899 per person before receiving their Macbook, which Apple does not even make in purple, red, pink or green.
For other information on various types of scams, visit www.bbb.org, or call 858-496-2131 to contact your San Diego BBB if you have been a victim of a scam. You can also keep up with scams and BBB news on BBB's Twitter page, www.twitter.com/sandiegobbb.