by Dan-N on November 3, 2009
If we had a dime for every minute we spent writing about Acai Scams we would be rich! And tired, from lugging all those dimes over to the bank… but that’s not the point. As the calendar turns from October to November we might actually see a very positive trend - a decrease in acai berry scams!
Oprah Lawsuit Might Finally Be Putting a Dent in Acai Berry Scams
Our unofficial review has shown the number of free trial acai scams increase every month since about July 2008. October 2009 looks like it may be the first month where the number of Acai free trial scams did not increase. Of course, it is almost impossible to scientifically measure this, but when we look at Acai related spam and Acai advertising - it did look like October was a cleaner month than September.
We have no doubt that the 267 Page Lawsuit by Oprah (Harpo Productions) had a lot to do with this trend. It was not just the companies that Harpo brought suit against, we believe it also had a ripple effect by scaring off many other acai scam companies. The Oprah lawsuit made it clear they would go after anyone who used her (or Dr. Oz’s) image to promote their Acai supplement.
Let’s Not Count Our Chickens Before They Hatch
Let’s not pull punches, there are still thousands of Acai Berry products being sold in deceptive and dishonest ways. If you have a shark tank filled with 100 sharks - it would be dangerous to jump in. If you then removed 70 sharks, I guess it is a little safer, but I would still be vary cautious about jumping in!
As we have said before, there are some quality Acai Supplements out there, you just need to be very careful before you give out your credit card to anyone.
We will report back at the end of November and see if this positive trend in decreasing the number of acai scam products can continue.
by Dan-N on October 14, 2009
by Dan-N on September 28, 2009
Anyway you cut it, it’s been a bad few weeks for Advanced Wellness Research (now called Netalab) and their products - Pure Acai Berry Pro and New Pure Acai Berry Burn. As we reported in August, Advanced Wellness Research was named in a lawsuit by the Illinois Attorney General for deceptive advertising on their acai products. The same day, Harpo Productions (producers of the Oprah Winfrey Show) also sued Advanced Wellness Research for using Oprah’s image without their permission and misleading customers.
Well, it looks like September is not getting any easier for them. The Florida Attorney General has now also sued Advanced Wellness Research for deceptive marketing of their Acai berry products. As is often the case with Acai Berry Scams, Advanced Wellness Research was offering a “free trial” but then autobilling customers $80 a month.
“TALLAHASSEE, FL – Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced his office filed a law suit against a Miami company, a related company and company principals over allegations the companies engaged in deceptive marketing practices. Advanced Wellness Research, Inc. allegedly offered free trials for its products, including Acai berry supplements and whitening toothpaste, but failed to provide reasonable notice that customers would be charged approximately $80 on a monthly basis for products they did not intend to purchase.
The Attorney General’s Economic Crimes Division began investigating the companies after receiving over 700 complaints about the companies. According to the complaints, consumers who tried to cancel the continuation program were unable to contact the company from which the products were purchased. ”
- Press Release from the Florida Attorney General”
Let’s hope that Attorney Generals from every state continue with these law suits against these Acai scam companies. If you live in Florida and have been victim to an Acai scam, you can contact the Attorney’s Generals office and file a claim - 1-866-9667226.
Additional Resources:
Full Press Release from Floria Attorney General
Oprah and Illinois Attorney General File Suit Against Acai Scam Companies
How I Lost $90 in 30 Days Using the Acai Berry
What Did Oprah and Dr Oz Really Say About Acai
Acai Berry Scams - How to Avoid Them
Acai Berry Maxx named Texas Lawsuit
Free Black Belt Course in Spotting Acai Berry Scams
by Dan-N on August 20, 2009
Justice may move slowly, but at least it is finally moving. On 8/18 the Attorney General of Illinois announced they are bringing a suit against 3 different Acai companies that have scammed and deceived customers. In addition, Harpo, Inc - producers of the Oprah Winfrey show - filed a trademark infringement suit against 40 internet marketers of dietary supplements such as Acai.
You Go Oprah - Stick it to Them!
Our regular readers are sick to death of us writing about Acai scams. In case you missed any of our posts, will put some links at the bottom of this article. Here is the quick summary - Acai Free Trail Scam companies have been ripping off consumers for over a year now and we have been screaming for the FDA, FTC, Attorney Generals, BBB - anyone to put an end to this! It now looks like Oprah and Attorney General Lisa Madigan are finally putting a dent in the Acai scams.
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