The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "infomercials" ...
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Amazing Profits?
Many Americans are struggling to find and keep jobs in this economic recession, so when they have a chance to earn money; it is something they will jump on. An infomercial, which claims it is possible for ordinary people to make huge profits from buying tax foreclosed homes, has caught the attention of many desperate people. These people do not need real estate experience or a large amount of capital to beginning this program. But it is discovered this program is deceptive and has sold “15 thousand” DVDs and brochures a week, which explains the program.
Tags: scams; FOIA; John Beck; Free and Clear Real Estate System; customers; Family Products; telemarketer; television; taxes
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From the Inside Out
Dateline NBC goes undercover to investigate the infomercial industry, which, while "long a target of criticism and government intervention, generates an estimated $90 billion a year in sales." The Dateline team created a pill that would have no effect on skin, but which they wished to sell as "purported to erase lines and wrinkles from the skin." They found a producer, and actresses and a doctor were hired to give false testimonials for the infomercial, which never aired. Experts told dateline that such an infomercial had a potential profit of $10 million before the Federal Trade Commission made contact to check on the product's effectiveness.
Tags: Moisturol; infomercials; consumer fraud; Federal Trade Commission; Nestle's Quik
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World Business Review Investigation
Bob Garfield reports that the "World Business Review" television program hosted by former Secretary of State Alexander Haig was not the business-news magazine it was posing as to colleges and universities in order to keep tapes of the programs on their library shelves. This was rather a weekly infomercial, charging "interviewees" for their appearance and collaborating with those paying clients in fashioning "interview" questions. Garfield also found that the show was using a slush fund, with a fictitious corporate title, to circumvent federal regulations about paying time and advertising on public TV.
Tags: Alexander Haig; universities; libraries; infomercial; public television; corruption; TAPE; RADIO; transcript
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King of the Pitch
Infomercial guru Kevin Trudeau has used his blinding charisma and faux-journalistic techniques to rocket to the top of the direct-response TV business. But with his history of run-ins with the law, you may not want to buyt what he's selling just yet.
Tags: Infomercial; Marketing