KGO Radio KGO radio endorses unethical, predatory, and potentially illegal businesses San Francisco California
KGO radio in San Francisco has been airing a commercial for the Lucas Law Firm. This add has been running for well over a year. I realize this is how our economy runs...businesses pay a price and those providing airtime are not actually endorsing the product, ect.
However, there need to be some standards and guidelines. I have called KGO to question their ethics. I waw told, they are not responsible for advertisers. I was not surprised. However, I am making a formal complaint since it is about time with this economy, predators are being exposed since there are so many consumers that are desparate.
I challenge you to explore the number of complaints about Lucas Law Center. It is overwhelming. As for KGO, I am formally reporting them on this site and will leave it at that.
K
Kat
Hollister, California
U.S.A.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Jim
Anaheim,California,
U.S.A.
What???
#5Consumer Comment
Thu, May 14, 2009
Laurie, who is the arbiter of what is illegal? I can tell you it isn't the OP and it isn't you or I! In the case of the OP, she seems to cite the number of complaints against a firm as sufficient justification for calling the practice illegal. The number of complaints is irrelevant. I suspect the number of complaints is dwarfed by the number of people it has tried to help and even I suspect succeeded in helping. You cannot blame a radio station in such a situation because you can't assume all of the complaints are a result of illegal activity; the complaints may be due to a whole host of reasons that have nothing to do with illegal activities. If the business operates within the law (and it probably does), then citing the number of complaints as some measure of illegality is preposterous.
So, do I advocate a radio station from selling advertising to a legal business that may not be dealing in very borderline situations like this one? YES, I do. I can say this because not every business advertising is for every listener out there. They used to have a saying this OP forgets - and that is "buyer beware". Consumers need to look out for themselves in situations like this. No one is being coerced into contracting with this firm - even after consultation.
In the case of this business, the odds of a lawyer being successful in what this company does is already not good because the client is already a major deadbeat with the bank on their mortgage. Going to a business like this is already a last resort and the perception of how the firm does is directly related to its success with the individual client. If it isn't all that successful - guess what? Lots of complaints. If it is successful - guess what? Still lots of complaints because it may still have a 25% unsuccessful rate in its negotiations. If even half of those come here to complain - that's a lot of complaints - and that's for a successful company!! I have no dog in this fight; I've heard the ads myself. But you can't prosecute the advertiser for the actions of its advertisers until someone determines their actions as illegal. No one has.
Laurie
Haslet,Texas,
U.S.A.
So HUGHASS - you think its okay for SCAMS (ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES) to be advertised?
#5Consumer Comment
Thu, May 14, 2009
I never said there was a rule or law that said anyone selling advertising space is responsible for making sure the business that is advertised is legitimate.
I said there SHOULD BE a LAW that makes them responsible.
Hugh Jass
Franklin,New Hampshire,
U.S.A.
The FCC will not help you
#5Consumer Comment
Thu, May 14, 2009
Radio and TV stations are NOT responsible for the content of ads. That time is bought and paid for by the advertisers. Another poster claimed stations should check to see if the sponsor is legitimate. Bull.
The FCC does not regulate programming decisions (except for "obscenity") and radio/TV stations can sell time to whoever they wish as long as the product being advertised isn't tobacco. See FCC.gov if you wish.
Anyone who is too stupid to remember that "if it sounds too good to be true it probably is" deserves what they get.
Laurie
Haslet,Texas,
U.S.A.
REPORT IT TO THE FCC AND FTC
#5Consumer Comment
Mon, March 30, 2009
If everyone would report false advertising to the Federal Communications Commission and Federal Trade Commission - maybe they will do something.
The Federal Trade Commission website offer this bit of common sense advice, unfortunately most assume that those businesses that sell advertising time VERIFY the legitimacy of the business - that has never been the case.
ADVERTISEMENTS from the Federal Trade Commission website:
The appearance of ads in media outlets that you recognize - like your local newspaper or radio station - is no guarantee of the legitimacy of the company behind the ad.
THE OLD ADAGE BUYER BEWARE HAS NEVER BEEN MORE TRUE THEN AT THIS TIME!
I agree IF YOU SELL ADVERTISING TIME - you OWE it to your viewers/readers etc to make sure that the businesses are legitimate.
fyi - I have also sent emails to MSN.com demanding they remove the bogus Acai Berry SCAM Advertisements that they have posted. They are still there.
I specifically cited the membership scam and phony endorsements.
These are specifically those that have the references to Oprah and Rachel Ray - both of whom have disclaimers on their websites that they DO NOT ENDORSE the product and the ads that state that are lies