In-Game Ads That Are Proven Scams

Question

Level 1

4 points

In-Game Ads That Are Proven Scams

How can a user report in-game ads that are proven scams. One game I love to play has just started an ad campaign for a free box of meat from Omaha Steaks using Joanna Gaines as the spokesperson. I heard of this scam a couple of years ago and it’s not from Omaha Steaks and Ms. Gaines has nothing to do with it. Basically click on the link, pay for the shipping cost with your debit or credit card, sit back an wait for a package that will never arrive. But, you’ve given scammers your credit card info so good luck with that. Another one is the Keto gummies using either Oprah Winfrey or Kelly Clarkson as the spokesperson, neither of whom has anything to do with the company. Will Apple take a stand and shut these games down until they comply? Can these games and ads be reported to the FTC, Federal Trade Commission? What about the FBI since these ads rely on interstate and U.S.Postal services to scam people. Why is no one shutting this highly illegal practice down within the games we play?

iPhone 6s, iOS 12

Posted on Sep 5, 2024 3:40 PM

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Answer 1

Mac Jim ID

Level 7

26,351 points

Sep 5, 2024 3:55 PM in response to guido63

Of course you can report it to Apple using the reportaproblem link and one of the option to use is Scams. FTC will also take complaints.

It should be noted though, that it is not the App that is creating those ads and the developer of the app subscribes to an Ad Service which is probably the business that needs to be held accountable. If you look in the corners of the ad, they usually say where the ad came from. These same Ad companies ares used by many games and not just the one that you play. The most common Ad Services that an app can use are:

AdMob by Google
Audience Network by Meta
MoPub by Twitter (x)
Unity Ads
AppLovin

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Answer 2

Mac Jim ID

Level 7

26,351 points

Oct 13, 2024 6:41 PM in response to tcolligan

tcolligjn wrote:

Was playing a solitaire games and I do not have ads disabled and the Joanne Gaines and Omaha steaks offer spears and not once but twice. Who is checking that the ads are legitimate and not bad operators. Security has to start somewhere, and it should be addressed before it reaches the customer.

That would be the Ad Service Provider, which you can usually find the name in one of the corners of the ad. The most common ones are:

AdMob by Google
Audience Network by Meta
MoPub by Twitter (x)
Unity Ads
AppLovin

The ad service provider is paid to display the ads and a portion of the proceeds is given to the developer of the ad. Apple does not get paid anything for the ads and is not involved in the process. As stated already you can still:

Report to the Ad Service Provider
Report to the Developer
Let Apple know on the Report a Concern site
File a complaint with the FTC

Filing a complaint with the Ad Service Provider or the FTC is likely to have the most impact as the Ad Service Provider is responsible for the Ad and the FTC is responsible for ensuring advertisements on not fraudulent.

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Answer 3

guido63 Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 5, 2024 7:48 PM in response to Mac Jim ID

This is great information, Mac Jim ID! Thank you for taking the time to explain and share this information. I will follow through with reporting it to Apple and create an official complaint to the FTC.

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Answer 4

Oct 13, 2024 6:08 PM in response to guido63

Was playing a solitaire games and I do not have ads disabled and the Joanne Gaines and Omaha steaks offer spears and not once but twice. Who is checking that the ads are legitimate and not bad operators. Security has to start somewhere, and it should be addressed before it reaches the customer.

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