![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-151751-100x100.png\")
I hate those frickin' things that make you go through a whole test before hitting you with \"Sign up for your results!\" Makes me want to smack the person who took it and actually signed up, thus suckering me into it.
I hate those frickin' things that make you go through a whole test before hitting you with \"Sign up for your results!\" Makes me want to smack the person who took it and actually signed up, thus suckering me into it.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/css/images/default.gif\")
Facebook is notorious for declining new advertisers based upon this so called \"quality policy\" that they have.
My grandfater has a site about puppies and received a free $20 advertising credit on Facebook. He went onto Facebook and created an ad and it was declined. They gave no other reason that \"it did not fit our stringent editorial policy of high quality websites\".
This fucking cell phone scam bullshit is quote/unquote \"Quality\", Facebook?
Looks like you people will take any advertisement as long as the company is willing to pay.
What a joke.
I can't tell you how many times I've clicked on this stupid banner. It comes up on every facebook quiz I take. I'm so damn gullible.
My only defense to this scam is that I don't have a cell phone.
@Parapraxis: And for the people that have moved away from Firefox (using Chrome and waiting for extensions on the official release) I've found that editing the Hosts file in Windows will help with a lot of this stuff.
I've never understood how these scammers are able to get away with this crap, and in particular, why Myspace, which caters to the under 20 crowd, allows this sort of deceptive and abusive advertising.
You find these sorts of things (IQ tests, personality tests, \"what star wars character are you\" etc) all over Myspace.
You also see the 30 second ads for \"joke of the day\" or \"fun fact of the day\" on The N and Nickelodeon and other networks aimed at children and teens... all of which say \"Text \"joke\" to xxxxx to get your joke of the day\" and in the fine print, on screen for about 2 seconds, it says you'll be charged.
Why the heck don't the networks / websites / etc have at least SOME accountability for not allowing scam ads?
For that matter, why doesn't FTC enforce requirmeents that the terms be disclosed in readable form, not below the fold of a webpage where the \"accept\" button is above?
@calchip: Because the government isn't there to protect you from being stupid or ignorant. I agree with you on principle however.
@calchip: I agree, even more so about the TV ads (ringtones even more than jokes). There is enough fine print on those things that it would take me a couple minutes to read it, IF I could see it. And you can't really see it. And they definitely don't give you a couple of minutes to read it. I feel sorry for parents out there whose kids have done that stuff.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-491106-100x100.png\")
If 97 is the average their are a lot of dumbass people in this world.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-94321-100x100.png\")
half the people in the world are dumber than average.
@Chris Back: actually if half the people in the world are dumber than avereage, the average would have to change... forcing a new lower median... de-evolution is clearly here though
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-416026-100x100.png\")
The really egregious part about this scam advertisement is that it uses names from your friend list to tell you that they've already taken the quiz.
This kind of deceptive advertising is ridiculous.
@Aristeia: I almost thought (without actually clicking through to see it's on a separate site) that it was a regular Facebook app that a couple of my friends had used... up until I saw suddenly different numbers on the same ad on the next screen.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-143777-100x100.png\")
@NinjaMarion: I knew it was a scam when I saw my best friend's name come up as getting a 130...not only did I ask him if he actually took the test and he said no, I also (secretly) knew he'd never get a 130! :)
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-211131-100x100.png\")
@Aristeia: I look at those and go \"No sorry so-and-so does not have an IQ of 130. I had classes with them. Sorry.\"
Yeah, the thing about IQ is that by its very definition, the average score is 100.
@Michael Monaco: Perhaps they mean the average score of the people who took that test. But then I'd expect the number to be lower...
@Michael Monaco: That's not exactly true. The IQs of a large enough population will resemble a bell curve. The tests are typically made such that a 100 is the median score. That doesn't mean that on this specific test, with this particular sample of data you won't get a different average.
You could make an IQ test that went from 0 to 900 and the median on a large population would be 450.
I'd think most would be tipped off by the URL being \"www.megacoool.com\". And we ask the question - Is our children learning? =)
well, in a recession people are trying to make money in any way shape or form. I admit, if i was a little more computer savvy, I would be making money off the things that annoy me the most.. (click here to skip this add. Or my personal favorite: you will be redirected to your page in 18 years. psh)@Nick1693: @xtc46 - thinksmarter on twitter:
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-245335-100x100.png\")
@NotYou007: someone misusing \"their\" while proclaiming the world is full of dumbasses is just oh-so-glorious. so, uh, i take it you're one of those, then?
@katieoh:
You can tell the dumbasses pretty easily since they insult miniscule grammar errors while ignoring the actual argument. It means they are too dumb to have a real viewpoint.
Scams like this are HIGHLY profitable, which is why networks allow them, and why the scammers find work arounds when rules are in place. I know several people who run Ad's like these for a living, and while I dont agree with their methods, I can't help but envy their paychecks.
Dont trust things you see online. People, in general, dont do things for free. If its online for \"free\" their is usually a catch (not always, but usually) and many times its small print like this, advertising included in what you are getting, or posts asking for donations every couple of days.
@xtc46:
Sigh. I guess we're getting to a point in society where nobody gives a crap about ethics. More and more we hear about these barely-legal scams that rake in obscene money, and nobody does anything (probably because all the politicians are *also* raking in obscene amounts of money from said scammers.)
You actually pass the IQ test if you are smart enough to read the fine print and not give them your cell phone #! ;)
anybody actually believed you were really buying just an IQ # for about 1$ on those facebook adds ?
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-25946-100x100.png\")
I think the \"quizzes\" are crap on FB. No, I won't give \"Name that movie quote\" access to 100% of my personal information and the rights to accost my friends.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-99943-100x100.png\")
@snowmoon: I've never actually tried developing a Facebook application, but I get the impression that it's just lazy programmers (or possibly a lack of granular controls), not taking the time to uncheck the things their app really doesn't need. I've seen a fair number of them that want access to everything about everyone you've ever met, then do little more than post a blurb on your site.
That said, the ones that do try and shove \"Send annoying invites to all your friends! (Click the very small button at the bottom to decline)\" down your throat are really annoying.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-202178-100x100.png\")
@FLEB: Facebook applications are hosted off site using a proprietary markup language that's incredibly difficult to master and most applications are based off templates found in the Google Code library, so you're not too far off.
It's an disappointing truth that probably 95% of the people with the programming skill to write a decent application don't have the social knowledge to write a decent application (or they're busy with silly things like jobs and lives).
@Crazytree: That would be the median not necessarily the average.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-375555-100x100.png\")
These things are the bane of my existence as a csr for a cell phone company. I've gotten to the point where I don't even question the customer about it, I just apply the credit and cancel the subscription.
@blueneon: So, who eats that cost? Is it the carrier, or is it like a chargeback that gets sent back to the subscription service?
@FLEB:
If the credit is done correctly, thru a specific tool for management of downloads, than it is like a chargeback and the download company takes the cost. If the credit is applied thru the billing system directly, then at&t eats the cost of the credit.
@blueneon: I can't imagine the calls you must get from people whose kids ordered those stupid ringtone subscriptions off the TV.
If you are dumb enough to fall for it in the first place, it seems like it serves you right.
Did you know that I'm Persian royalty and that I can claim my family's inheritance by forwarding $2,500 to free up the trust account? My barrister emailed me today and I gave him access to my checking account.
Oh really? My nigerian uncle died years ago and they will wire me the money as soon as I tell them my life story. Not to mention, I keep playing the British lottery! Sure wish I remembered buying that ticket...
Link has found another piece of the Triforce...and there are strange charges on his cell phone bill!
I noticed this scam too. And can't say that using names from the friends list is a kosher tactic. In fact, I started freaking out on my wife because it indicated she had taken the test leading me to believe she wasn't paying attention close enough and put in her cell number. Thankfully that wasn't the case, but I was pissed at those a$$ clowns for the panic it caused.
Can someone track down who's responsible for that fucking scam? I had the sense to not put in my cell number (and can't imagine who would - that's the REAL IQ test), but hate that I and others are allowed to be baited like that.
Am I alone in thinking that Facebook has reached the tipping point of \"no longer worth the hassle\" in the past few months? I find myself reverting to good ol' email and IM.
Do people actually fall for the '2 of your friends think you're stupid' scam?
If they do, they're not my friends.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-120033-100x100.png\")
This is the whois I grabbed from my Debian box:
Registrant:
McFalls & Company
Daniel McFalls (dmcfalls@mcfallsco.com)
10222 S. 80th Ct.
Palos Hills
IL,60465
US
Tel. +1.7082336200
Fax. +00.0000000
Creation Date: 07-Nov-1997
Expiration Date: 06-Nov-2009
Unfortunatly mcfallsco.com leads to nowhere, so we're kinda SOL on that route.
@dragon:ONE: Whoa there. Stop ruining reputations with unfounded information. The is Dan McFalls. We've been in the computer repair and consulting business since 1990. And we do have a website. http:mcfallsco.com. Please explain why you are trashing me and my company? What records were you looking up that pointed to us? Please point me to what you saw.
Their phone number turns up this listing,
which seems to imply that it's a construction company. I don't think it's a hijacked domain, I think the guy went broke in construction and decided that scamming children was a good way to make up for it.
@calchip:
On second thought, and closer inspection, maybe not. \"construction\" may have been a miscategorization. Prolly just a kid who used to be a blackhat hacker and found a way to make a buck marginally legally.
@dragon:ONE: [mcfallsco.com] goes to their website with contact info...although I doubt its a legit. For stuff like this the domain probabaly got hijacked and is being used with the owner knowing.
I took that test, was about to put my number in, and thought to read the fine print. A couple of my friends had scores on it - I wonder if this was made up or if they actually took it, and fell for the charges in the fine print. I hope they didn't!
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-188304-100x100.png\")
First off I hate Facebook, MySpace..all of them.
My girlfriend took this test last night. She got to that page and started entering her cell number and I leaned over to see what she was doing and told her to stop. Thank god I did.
I received a bunch of invites to this, but thanks to working at AT&T Mobility, nee Cingular, I was quick enough to recognize a scam when I saw one.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-24620-100x100.png\")
I noticed this when it first started and notified all of my friends to avoid it. Two had already done it...so I pointed them to Consumerist to help them deal with getting out of it!
Yes, shame on Facebook for permitting this scammy ad that masquerades as a FB game.
So what happens if someone else takes the test, and for shits and giggles puts in YOUR cell phone number? In other words, YOU didn't take the test, but someone else signed you up for this crap? They don't even have to know your number, just type in something that seems like a legitimate phone number and BAM you get hit with unauthorized charges? How are you going to prove that you didn't do it?
They don't point it out, but the real IQ test is to see if you can resist not clicking on it.
If you don't touch the ad, you got an IQ of at least 150. If you touch it, 90. If you answer the questions, you lose 10 points every question.
Sending the test will cause the retardation police to come to your door. And then they'll sell you timeshares.
I just went to the facebook abuse page and reported it as abuse. Please do the same, if enough people report it they should drop the advertiser or force them to change their policy.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-2560-100x100.png\")
In related news, there is also an ad for \"This person has a crush on you, see who else does\" that shows up fairly regularly.
The first time I saw this, it was saying that my cousin had a crush on me. Yeah, right.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-524697-100x100.png\")
I think if you put your phone number in, it overrides your actual results and tell you your IQ is 0.
Told all my friends this was a scam, guess I was right
Wow, some pretty good ideas there dude!
RT
www.anonymity.ru.tc
We at Mobile Messenger would like to assist you with your concern or complaint. If you need assistance in regards to being unsubscribed or other related issues, please do not hesitate to contact us. Please call 1-800-416-6129 Monday to Friday 0600 - 1800 US Pacific Time or email blog@sms-helpdesk.com
Sandra
MOBILE MESSENGER
The point is that the billing is done by the cellphone network providers, such as Sprint and Verizon - in other words these are the people scamming you.
How is that legal?
I'm really getting tired of someone trying to \"sucker\" me every way I turn. Facebook must really have some desperate need for ad dollars to leave this thing on there.
How do I get rid of this scam,
I must say they got me????
I was receiving messages from Mobile Messenger that i didnt want coming on my cellphone. I called their customer service 800-416-6129 and the agent who helped me was very nice and helpful. He quickly resolved my problem, and i have stopped getting messages and charges.
I took that test, put my number in and received a message everyday which charged me money. Can anyone tell me how to stop it from receiving this message?
The fine print isn't so fine after all - The site texts the user an opt-in confirmation text that includes a PIN to enter on the website (to finish the subscription) and mentions the monthly charge, too. These are run through Mobile Messenger (someone above from them commented) whose backend and gateway runs a good amount of the cell phone subscription/text/ringtone services. If a user is truly stupid enough to enter the confirmation PIN online after reading a full text message (come on, it's in plain English in fewer than 160 characters), they've clearly agreed to terms.
FUN text messages!
Only 19.99 per month!
We at Mobile Messenger would like to assist you with your concern or complaint. If you need assistance in regards to being unsubscribed or other related issues, please do not hesitate to contact us. Please call 866-390-6184 Monday to Friday 0600 – 1800 US Pacific Time or email blog@sms-helpdesk.com
SANDRA
MOBILE MESSENGER
wish i wasn't so bloody stupid, i didn't know it was a scam. I blindly thought my friends had taken the IQ test and i was just another one of those stupid tests that compare you to your friends. I didn't even realise when i took the test and put my mobile number in to get my score that i was signing up to this scam rubbish, i didn't even check my phone bill for 2 months cause it comes out automatically and only just realised that i have been charged over $100 for these premium text. As usual they can be deceptive with this and there is nothing illegal apparently. Makes me sick.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-933132-100x100.png\")
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-91598-100x100.png\")
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-449801-100x100.png\")
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-776577-100x100.png\")
The average of an IQ test is not 97, anyway. *Psychology major harumph*
@HeyBickley: You know, I'd swear that half the people that I run into these days must have an IQ below 100...
@HeyBickley: Or maybe the average facebook user (or at least the type that completed this scam) is slightly stupider than the average person.