Jun 30, 2009 6:53 pm US/Eastern
Online Coupons Can Lead To Big Savings, Headaches
Better Business Bureau Says Online Coupon Fraud Is Becoming More Common
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
Many retailers are holding blockbuster sales the weekend of July 4 – and coupons found online can lead to bigger discounts of up to 50 percent off at popular stores.
But these seemingly good deals may cost consumers more than they bargained for.
Online shopper Nancy Lombardo thinks one appeal of electronic coupons is their simplicity.
"It's so easy to find them," Lombardo said. "I can type in what I'm looking for specifically."
Lombardo was recently scammed by a Web site claiming to offer extra coupon savings.
She was shopping online when a pop-up advertisement appeared on her screen, offering a significant discount on an item she was looking to purchase. The ad claimed all she had to do was fill out a form with some of her personal information – including a credit card number.
Lombardo didn't even think twice.
"(I thought) this seems like everything else I fill out, so I did it," Lombardo said.
Lombardo failed to realize that she signed herself up with a fraudulent company, and unknown charges soon began appearing on her credit card each month.
Consumer experts, such as Michelle Corey of the Better Business Bureau, believe this type of fraud is occurring more frequently on the Internet.
"They may be asking a series of questions in order to obtain some of their free coupons, but these questions could be setting you up to steal your identity," Corey said. "Some pop up ads may also be trying to keep your attention while they're downloading spyware to your computer system. Others may be downloading a virus."
The BBB also reminded customers never to pay for coupons found online.
Corey added that consumers should not always trust coupons they get via e-mail, as the BBB has found a string of fakes is currently finding its way into inboxes everywhere.
"Sometimes they look very realistic," Corey said. "They actually have the logo, but it doesn't make it real though."
Shoppers should always look to see whether an online coupon is being offered directly by a store or by a third-party, as the latter often asks for more personal information. They should also always double check with a store that an online coupon is valid.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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