When "Free" isn't Free At All

I'm sure you've all gotten these in your email boxes...

"Congtratulations! You've just won a FREE* Laptop Computer"!
The first time you saw one, you probably got all excited and
rushed to click the link without noting the asterick after
the word "FREE". Other "offers" I've noted included anything
from "free" Gift Cards to a "free" Hi-Definition TV.

That little asterick is there to tell you that the so-called
"freebie" is actually a "fee-bie"; in other words, to qualify
for the "free" gift, you must participate in "sponsor offers".

This semi-scam has been running for at least 6 years if not
longer. Once confined solely to the United States, the UK
now has several outlets for these programs. BEWARE: you may
actually end up spending more than the worth of the 'gift',
plus have your email address added to numerous email lists
due to the "surveys" included in such offers. You may be
forced onto several email marketing lists BEFORE you are even
able to see the monetary "sponsor offers" and be told just
how many you must complete to qualify. Some of the lists
you end up on can and will have telemarketers ringing you
in search of new customers for products you never really
wanted, just said yes to to get through the boring questions.

WHY CAN'T PEOPLE JUST TELL THE TRUTH ONLINE?? WHY DO THEY
HAVE TO TELL SUCH SUBTLE LIES? HOW DID A SIMPLE PUNCTUATION
MARK BECOME A "PROCEED WITH CAUTION" ITEM INSTEAD?