FTC Lifts Lid on Low-Cost Trial Offer Scam
The Federal Trade Commission has published a new article and infographic on Affiliate Marketing.
The FTC states that "affiliate marketing is a good way to promote a product or service as long as the ad is truthful."
But we all know that there are many less than truthful and unethical marketers online.
Here is the FTC infographic:
The FTC initiated a complaint against a group of companies acting together to scam people out of hundreds of dollars by using a free trial offer. The low-cost trial scam was a subscription trap.
There were so many companies involved, I didn't count them. But here is a graphic showing the companies.
The following FTC infographic shows how the scam works.
Additional information is available at the FTC website https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/b...
Recent Comments
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You are welcome Nick. I've been scammed a couple of times over the years.
I find it is essential to read the fine print. Because credit card companies will not refund any money for subscriptions.
I am aware of all these, any trial that involves the use of a card is deadly, especially for a small amount, and its usually small amount. I attended a trade fair, and a good product was on trial for
a pound, but the catch is you have to pay by your card. I declined, as I could smell rat. Lol
Thanks for sharing, Lanu. I find it amazing that if a customer is making a purchase in person that cash is not accepted.
There have been many programs like this over the years that have been taken down. Google actually had to change it's Adwords policies several years back as they were being held responsible for several "Acia Berry" and similar dieting ripoff as they were allowing people to advertise them.
This is also taking place at a very high rate within the internet marketing industry and I have blogged about it many times in the past.
Weight loss and nutritional/health products also seem to be targeted by the scammers. I have seen several brain enhancement products that appear marginal at best.
Every time I'm offered something for free or extremely low cost my scam detector starts ticking. Unbelievable how many scam affiliate sites exist.
I am very cynical of free or low cost offers. Too bad so many are promoted on Facebook and other social media sites.
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Thanks for this.
You are welcome, John.