Lawsuit says ads in social games are scamming players (Zynga/Facebook)

[The Straight Story]

Lawsuit says ads in social games are scamming players

SAN FRANCISCO — Gamers are crying foul play over what they claim are misleading ads on social games.

A class-action lawsuit last month highlights what thousands of consumers say are bogus offers tied to social games available on Facebook and other social networks. The 16-page lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in nearby Sacramento, details how Rebecca Swift, a 41-year-old self-employed resident of Santa Cruz, Calif., was lured into accepting two "special offers" from advertisers to gain extra game credits for YoVille, a popular virtual-world game developed by Zynga.

More than $200 was illegally charged to Swift's credit card over several months, the lawsuit alleges. It seeks compensation from Facebook and Zynga for Swift and thousands of others, says attorney John Parker, who represents the plaintiff.

Zynga had no comment on the lawsuit.

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/gaming/2009-12-07-games07_ST_N.htm