BBB warns of acai berry weight-loss scam

There must be a trigger in the human brain that short-circuits when we see the word 'Free'. (not to mention the acai berry, which WalletPop named the #1 hottest product of 2008)The latest companies to make use of this fault to scam innocent, overweight consumers are Central Coast Nutraceuticals and FX Supplements.

These companies, according to the Better Business Bureau, have conned consumers into accepting a 'Free' samples of acai berry supplements for weight loss, implying an endorsement by Oprah Winfrey that her spokesman vehemently denies. Other celebrities including Rachael Ray have also been featured in ads that aren't quite endorsements but are obviously intended to imply such.

In the process of signing up for the 'Free' sample, the consumers were also enrolled in a monthly diet and fitness consultation service, at a hefty monthly charge. On the FX site, customers are required to fill out the form for the order before they can even see the terms of the agreement, unless they are savvy enough to scroll to the bottom of the page and hit "Terms and Conditions." See those terms below -- can you see what's wrong with this offer?

A spokesman for Central Coast told the AP that customers were to fault for not reading the fine print, in which the terms were clearly expressed. Customers were given two weeks to cancel the service before being shipped $85.90 worth of product monthly from FX Supplements or $40 monthly from Central Coast Nutraceuticals.

Need more about the acai berry?? WalletPop named this little wonder the #1 Hottest Product of 2008, so you can find out what all the buzz is about. Also see what else made the list.

The lesson to be learned here is to read the fine print especially carefully for ANY free or unreasonably cheap offer, and ignore celebrity endorsements. Scammers frequently target those who want to lose weight, gain sexual prowess work at home, or get rich, so view those offers with even more skepticism. You won't go far wrong if you accept the premise that "there ain't no such thing as a free lunch."