Google Money Tree on GMA

[Scot Standke]

Hey Warriors,

I saw a piece on Good Morning America revealing Google Money Tree as a scam.

It looks like the authorities are finally cracking down on these multi-million dollar flogs.

They even showed a quick pic of Shoemoney and his famous Google check pic. I don't think that he's actually involved in the scam, just thought it funny that they showed his pic.

Scot

[bgmacaw]

Originally Posted by Scot Standke

They even showed a quick pic of Shoemoney and his famous Google check pic. I don't think that he's actually involved in the scam, just thought it funny that they showed his pic.

They probably Googled on it and it came up first.

That does raise the specter of "guilt by association" though. Such negative publicity could also impact click-thru on Google advertising if people come to associate all of it with 'scam'.

[Scot Standke]

Here is the actual FTC Complaint:

http://www.ftc.gov/os/caselist/09230...ytreecmplt.pdf

Scot

[p2y]

Rumors are running wild among the CPA networks that google and the FTC are teaming up to take down the companies (and possibly affiliates) who promoted such "google kit" offers. It will be interesting to see how this plays out, especially for the affiliates.

[Scot Standke]

As far as I know, affiliates won't be getting a pass.

Ignorance is no excuse for not knowing what you are promoting.

The old adage, "if it sounds to good to be true", holds true in most money making opportunities.

Bottom line: know what you are promoting or be prepared for the full wrath of the FTC!

Scot

[Melkor]

Kindsvater already reported on the Illinois case where the State AG is going after the affiliate as well as the network and the supplier.

It's not just the Google Money Tree that's in hot water, all the CPA continuity offers pushed through flogs are staring down the tracks at a Very Large oncoming train. Some flog writers say they aren't concerned because they're to small potatoes to be a target for the FTC, but that leaves out State, district or City AG's in need of good press for re-election.

[Paul Schlegel]

Originally Posted by Scot Standke

Hey Warriors,

I saw a piece on Good Morning America revealing Google Money Tree as a scam.

It looks like the authorities are finally cracking down on these multi-million dollar flogs.

They even showed a quick pic of Shoemoney and his famous Google check pic. I don't think that he's actually involved in the scam, just thought it funny that they showed his pic.

Scot

Scot, the FTC labeled their recent crackdown "Operation Shortchange" which you can read about here.

Many of the cases involved companies hiding the rebilling terms of negative option offers.

The ShoeMoney check was used without his permission:
Google Money Tree Scam and Hydra Affiliate Network

I still get people posting on my blog about Google Money Tree to this day, although it's slowed down a bit - but there are well over 800 comments on that post alone!

[Paul Schlegel]

Originally Posted by Melkor

Kindsvater already reported on the Illinois case where the State AG is going after the affiliate as well as the network and the supplier.

It's not just the Google Money Tree that's in hot water, all the CPA continuity offers pushed through flogs are staring down the tracks at a Very Large oncoming train. Some flog writers say they aren't concerned because they're to small potatoes to be a target for the FTC, but that leaves out State, district or City AG's in need of good press for re-election.

I didn't see in that release where they specifically said they were going after the network. I only saw this:

"We also need to send a clear message to other marketers and networks in the business of designing misleading, traffic enticing schemes."