Internet Ad Scams, Schemes and Other Traps

This page is devoted to exposing Internet advertisements that range between questionable and outright con games. If you run across others, please contact me and they will be considered for inclusion. Unless you choose to remain anonymous, you will receive full credit for your discovery.


You’re a Winner, I’m A Winner, Everyone In The World is a Winner Scam

We’ve all seen those annoying flash ads that proclaim our luck in winning a contest or some gift. If only it were that simple! (Unlike the advertisers who use these flash ads, I do not wish to annoy you or ruin your eyesight, so the example provided here is reduced in size.) Click on these irritating ads and you will begin your journey into the world of questionnaires. Before you can claim the free prize, gift, coupon, or other nifty treasure, you will first have to provide details about every aspect of your private life; age, sex, race, home address, telephone number, date of birth, e-mail address, and so on. After you’ve given out this information, you get your prize. Well almost.

First you must complete another extensive questionnaire asking about your likes and dislikes on a wide range of products. Okay, now you get your prize. Close, but no soap. You must now fill out questionnaires from every product manufacturer that you showed an interest in. After spending an hour or more of your time telling complete strangers all there is to know about your personal life, you might receive some type of discount coupon or other trivial gift. Then, too, you will receive more telephone calls, junk mail, and e-mail advertisements than you ever dreamed possible --- and for life!

Please do yourself a BIG favor. If you need something, go and buy it from a store. Do not provide these advertisers with your personal information. And, no, do not believe their claims that everything you provide will be kept secret and never, not in a million years, be given out to anyone else. You can be sure that some of your personal data will fall into the hands of not so nice people. These unintended slips will, of course, never be the advertiser’s fault. No sir, it’s those darn hackers, and other dishonest information thieves.

Maybe I’m guilty of nitpicking, but if an advertiser must get your attention by lying to you, then they do not deserve your trust? In the present case, claiming you won something and promises that your personal data will be kept private, are a out-and-out lies.

Before giving into the urge to participate in these dishonest marketing ploys, ask yourself if the promised rewards are worth the risk. If your answer is yes --- go back and read this article again.

ANOTHER YOU CAN'T LOSE SCAM USING BANNER ADS

This is just another cute way of packaging a bold faced deception.  As you might have guessed, you simply cannot lose this particular contest.  Regardless of which name you chose from the list, you win! Although the correct answer is Julia Roberts, each selection will take you to the winner's circle.  Once there, you will fill out endless marketing questionnaires, and in the process give out far too much personal information.  In the end you will receive a nifty $50 Home Depot® Gift Card.  Sure, the discount is great, but the price you paid for it hardly renders this a bargain.

ANATOMY OF A CONTEST WINNER SCAM

Here's yet another Contest Winner scam that requires people who are willing act before thinking.  This particular version is one you receive in your e-mail. Just click on the Lotto Machine picture and you will be taken to the article.

INTERNET FRAUD ON THE RISE

According to the Internet Fraud Complaint Center, Internet fraud resulted in monetary losses totaling $54 million in 2002.  This is more than three times the amount reported in 2001.  Auction fraud remains in the number one spot with losses estimated at $ 17 million. Read the article detailing the frauds you are most apt to encounter. 

 

MORE TO COME, STOP BACK OFTEN!

FraudTech