Newest Developments In Flog Scams

The latest news about flogs (fake blogs) is not about the Google and Twitter scam flogs, but about flogs using photographs of Rachael Ray, Dr Oz, and Oprah Winfrey in the ad promotions.  ABC News.

In August of 2009 Oprah and Dr. Oz filed a trademark infringement complaint against forty companies and affiliates of dietary supplements, which are promoting the acai berry weight loss supplements and using their photos as endorsements without permission, thus creating a false legitimacy and sense of credibility to the products.

The FTC, and the AG of Illinois, Lisa Madigan, filed three lawsuits against three suppliers and an affiliate marketer, charging the companies with deceiving customers with free offers, then charging the customers’ credit cards before the offer is complete, and the product is received: and then making it very difficult for the consumer to cancel out of the offers and their hidden agendas, Illinois attorney general.gov.

The Illinois suits coincided with the actions of Oprah and Dr Oz. They are rightly upset that their names are being used behind scams that often sign consumers up for costly memberships and future deliveries of questionable products, before receiving the first advertised trial offer, sometimes not sending the product at all and making it nearly impossible to cancel.

All of this hurts online marketing. It does make the consumer more aware and cautious, but it also hurts the legitimate marketers and companies doing business online. This is why these marketers, CPA networks, and merchants involved, need to be brought to court and held responsible for their actions.

The use of celebrity photos on an advertisement serves as an endorsement, and if it is used without permission then the website owners, and those involved, should be prosecuted and fined for their illegal use of the photos.

I have heard from a few affiliates using flogs for promoting, and they feel that they have done nothing wrong, always pointing out that the rebilling charges are listed in the Terms and Conditions for anyone to read. So, it is the consumers fault, because they have to sign off that they have read them and agree to all that they contain.

The affiliates do have a point, but when the product is usually received late, is not what it claims, is sometimes never received, before the second and third charges are made against the credit cards, then I disagree. It is fraud at this point, even without the fake celebrity endorsements.

I think that before any agency of government representative on a State or Federal level files charges or a suit, they really need to consider the individual affiliates role, and if at all possible go after the Merchants, the CPA networks and the Affiliate Mangers, since they are responsible for their advertising being FTC compliant.

I continue to see the Google flogs advertised everywhere on the internet, even on MSN. And it is months after the Google Money Tree action brought by the Texas AG, Greg Abbott. So, the greatest false advertising campaigns continue, even in light of these recent legal actions.

I have advised everyone, who will listen, to cease and desist from advertising questionable products, that have rebilling as the final goal, and end product. I will mention that if in doubt contact a representative of the FTC to make sure that the rebill program that they are marketing is compliant. It is a simple procedure.

I feel that additional scrutiny by the FTC may do US based internet marketing more harm than good, but if the affiliates and the CPA networks cannot self regulate, outside interference is inevitable. On an international level I do not see anything being done in the near future. There are too many countries with their own laws and policies governing their merchants and affiliates.

Also see:

Some Things To Do If You Have Been Scammed

Simple Instructions on How to Avoid Being Ripped Off by the new Flogs

Inside the Google Cash-cd

If you are looking for our recommendations please read our updates:

The Real Home Income Reviews And Programs