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I was completely unprepared for the response to my story last week about what may be a scam involving acai berry diet supplements. I've learned since posting the original story that the ads may be even more questionable than we first thought. I heard from one person who clicked on one ad just to read about it, realized just in time it was missing that little "lock" symbol that lets you know it's a secure site, and backed out without clicking on "submit." She received her shipment - and the charge to her credit card - anyway. Another version of an acai berry ad (different from the one that initially alerted us) claimed to be endorsed by a local woman. Her picture was on another ad in a different state - claiming to be from that state, too. Meanwhile, my e-mail box is flooded with comments from people who read my story and want to know if they've been hoodwinked. Here are a few samples: "Thanx for bringing to light this type of predatorial practice." "I would love to see more about this. I have not wondered about this being a “scam” per se, but I am curious." "I to have been a victim of this product. I just found out yesterday. I called the company they said that we should read the terms and agreement. I was charged the $80.00..." And it doesn't stop with the acai berries... "I just ordered a trial of RezVMax, which is supposed to tighten skin among other things. Did I just open myself up for a scam? It shows a lady supposedly from Sandy advertising this." If there's one thing I've learned, it's that people who want to get your money are getting smarter and smarter all the time - and it's getting harder and harder to tell who's on the up-and-up and who's not. Be careful out there!
