Better Business Bureau warns of social networking ad scams

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Old scams never die, they just move to new venues.

The Better Business Bureau put out an alert Thursday that many of the dubious ads that have long popped up in e-mails and on websites are now invading online social networks, such as Facebook.

“Ubiquitous ads for weight loss products, work-at-home opportunities and offers for ‘free’ computers can
cost shoppers more than they bargained for in the long run,’ the BBB states.

Last month, the Federal Trade Commission alleged that phony offers for individual grants from the federal
economic stimulus package were cropping up on Facebook. The social network agreed to search them out and kick them off the service.

The ads that the BBB warns about are going strong, however.

They include acai berry weight-loss ads that lead consumers to websites that have fake blog
testimonials and offers that can cost more than $80 a month if not canceled before the trial period ends.
An ad headlined “Learn how I make $67,000 a year being a stay-at-home Mom!” also can lead to hefty payouts.

“In 2008 alone, BBB received more than 3,500 complaints from people who signed up for offers to learn how to work from home but were ultimately disappointed,” the organization said.

As for the “free” computer, the BBB pointed out it can cost $1,000 and more because a purchase — or many purchases — could be required before “free” happens.

“Of course, not all ads on social networking sites are misleading,” BBB spokesman Steve Cox said. “The
point, though, is that it’s important that people always read the fine print carefully before giving their
credit card information online.”

—David Colker