# Scam Advertisement on SDMB **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [September 7, 2012, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-advertisement-on-sdmb/634042 "2012-09-07T22:54:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![UncleFred](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f0a364/32.png) [@UncleFred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleFred)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2012, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-advertisement-on-sdmb/634042/1 "2012-09-07T22:54:22Z")
I am not sure where to post this or if it’s even appropriate to do so here. While reviewing today’s article “Does asteroid mining threaten the earth?” there was an advertisement on the right hand side for “power4home” purporting to show how to obtain ‘free energy’. “Power4home” has been categorized as a scam by the Better Business Bureau. A google search easily finds numerous articles about it being a scam, as well as about the BBB position. I sent a note to the SD webmaster link but my experience with other websites is that you never here back from them. I believe most SD readers are savvy enough to see this as a scam, but still; Is there some way this can be looked into and removed if appropriate? ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2012, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-advertisement-on-sdmb/634042/2 "2012-09-07T23:07:12Z")
I believe the standard response is that the SDMB doesn’t have control over individual ads. The ads are placed by a Google ad service, and the powers don’t get to pick and choose. Also, this should be in ATMB. ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2012, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-advertisement-on-sdmb/634042/3 "2012-09-07T23:23:58Z")
[Here’s a previous thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=661433) in ATMB (where this thread also belongs, since you asked) about this same ad. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2012, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-advertisement-on-sdmb/634042/4 "2012-09-08T00:24:21Z")
Moved from General Questions to ATMB. **samclem** , MOderator ---
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2012, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-advertisement-on-sdmb/634042/5 "2012-09-08T15:16:26Z")
I think pretty much everyone by now knows that many internet ads are for products and services that are charitably referred to as ‘scam’. That one isn’t even the scammiest I’ve seen here. ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2012, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-advertisement-on-sdmb/634042/6 "2012-09-09T22:36:16Z")
Free power for the home is easy: 1. Take a piece of big-ass\* power cable. Connect one end to your power feed on the utility side of the meter. 2. Connect the other end to your power feed on your side of the meter. 3. Free power!\*\* How is that a scam? - This is a highly technical term, but the guy at the power cable store will know what you mean. \*\* You will eventually be arrested. Make sure to tell the judge that since his flag has fringe on it, he really has no authority over you. Sing a verse of “Alice’s Restaurant” and walk out. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2012, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-advertisement-on-sdmb/634042/7 "2012-09-09T22:41:46Z")
> [@Zakalwe](#): > > Free power for the home is easy: > > 1. Take a piece of big-ass\* power cable. Connect one end to your power feed on the utility side of the meter. > 2. Connect the other end to your power feed on your side of the meter. > 3. Free power!\*\* > > How is that a scam? We had our meter at work changed the other day. Did you know there’s actually a spot to make connections 1 and 2, specifically for jumping the meter (so you can change it without killing the power). ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2012, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-advertisement-on-sdmb/634042/8 "2012-09-09T22:47:37Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > We had our meter at work changed the other day. Did you know there’s actually a spot to make connections 1 and 2, specifically for jumping the meter (so you can change it without killing the power). It wouldn’t be surprising if one of these “free power” gizmos (not necessarily this one) worked by hooking it up that way, making it look like it’s “creating” or “saving” energy, but it really just rips off the electric company. ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2012, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-advertisement-on-sdmb/634042/9 "2012-09-09T22:49:59Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > We had our meter at work changed the other day. Did you know there’s actually a spot to make connections 1 and 2, specifically for jumping the meter (so you can change it without killing the power). Dude! That’s the part they have to pay for. Way to kill the profit.\* \*Actually, I did know that. In addition to having worked construction, my uncle was in fraud investigation for a utility and I heard _tons_ of stories. My favorite was the guy who was in the paper because of his incredible Christmas display. Power guy comes to see it and gets curious, walks around the side of the house to glance at the meter, meter is ticking along normally (not generating a breeze as one would expect). Busted! ---
**Author:** ![Beastly\_Rotter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/45deac/32.png) [@Beastly\_Rotter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beastly_Rotter)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2012, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-advertisement-on-sdmb/634042/10 "2012-09-09T23:16:17Z")
It’s like the rabbits don’t even matter anymore.