RIP-OFF ALERT: We've gotten several calls from listeners complaining about being ripped off while checking out at many otherwise legitimate Internet selling sites.
Typically, our callers report seeing a message during checkout asking if they'd like to save X amount of dollars on their purchase. Clicking through on the message and agreeing secretly enrolls you in a subscription service that is billed to your credit card or debit account on a monthly basis. And there's no real notification -- other than some mice-type that's too small to read.
The Wall Street Journal reports New York Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo suspects 22 companies of being involved with this rip-off. Among the companies he's subpoenaed are Staples, Barnes &Noble, Avon, GameStop, 1-800-Flowers and Orbitz, just to name a few.
No need, however, to wait and hear their side of the story. You know all you need: That supposed instant discount will cost you big-time. Cuomo alleges that three of these discount programs pulled in more than $1 billion annually.
The real question is how will trusted brands that take advantage of this suspect sales ploy gain their reputations back with customers??
