Protect yourself when using online coupon sites.

In our post last week, we wrote about new trends and consumer behavior with online coupons. As with anything that is gaining popularity online, it is only a matter of time before those unscrupulous spammers are out looking for unsuspecting victims to take advantage of online.

Analysts at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have uncovered a new online scam targeting those who are trying to save money by using online coupons. According to UAB researchers, the spammers are using the classic e-card bait-and-switch with a fake link to a coupon site. The site then downloads malware onto your computer.

TheFreeWay.com is here to help keep you safe when using online coupons with these 5 tips to protect yourself from coupon spammers:

• Always be wary of e-mails from people you don’t know and e-mails from generic e-mail addresses. Trusting unknowns on the internet is like asking a stranger to hold your wallet at the mall – be careful out there.
• Always make sure that the URL of the site matches up with the content of the site. E-mail spammers frequently use false URLs to mask their true identities online.
• Keep your antivirus software up to date. While it takes some time for antivirus software to catch up with new trends in malware, not updating your software is a guarantee for infection.
• Download with caution. Nearly all reputable online coupon sites do not require you to download anything to receive coupons. While registration may be required, be wary of any site that asks you to download coupons to your computer.
• Don’t be afraid to save. There are hundreds of online coupon sites that are completely legitimate out there. Don’t be afraid to use them to save a lot of money in your budget. Sites like TheFreeWay.com and Dealtaker.com are here to help our customers save money and do so safely.
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Coupon clipping is a thing of the past.  Online coupons are a thing of the fast.

In the past I’ve looked at people who used coupons with envy.  Two for one!  FREE!  Who doesn’t like hearing that?  (I’d like to also point out that I like to swipe my Kroger card at the very last minute so I can see my total shrink all at once and see how much I saved. Ah, simple pleasures.)  Sometimes I would watch the man or woman’s total in front of me drop drastically after the coupons.  I never understood it.  Where did they find these deals?  How did they have time to look for them?

Lately my wallet has felt a considerable pinch.  I now look through the paper to find good coupons, but I have found that printing coupons offline usually works the best for me. Finding coupons also helps me plan my meals better.  Instead of just throwing things into my grocery cart when I get to the store, I make a list and know what I will need for the week and then search online for the coupons accordingly.  I even have a Couponizer that organizes them for me!

And it’s not just me.  Coupons printed from websites are growing in popularity.  Here is an excerpt from a great article in the Wall Street Journal I found today about online coupons and how they can help you save a ton of green!

“Conditions what they are, more shoppers are using coupons to stretch their grocery budgets. In the past four months, coupon usage has surged about 10%, according to Inmar Inc., a coupon-processing agent. And increasingly, shoppers are skipping the scissors and getting coupons online or having discounts sent to their smart phones and rewards cards.”

Keep checking our coupons page to print out some great coupons or find deals around town!  Or subscribe to our “Deals” feed to get deals sent to you instantly!  Everyone deserves a treat.

Free online classified ads are a great way to get a big bang without a big budget.

It doesn’t matter if you are a small business or not.  Everyone is feeling the financial pinch.  Now businesses are looking for new ways to promote their business or product at the smallest cost.

Free online classifieds is a great way to do this!  It is a great way to increase your business visibility and you have the option of linking to your own page to draw more people to your Web site.  And, the best part, it’s of no cost to you.  You can easily target new customers with out spending a dime.

Here is an article called, ”Do FREE Online Classifieds Work?” This is not only a great article about why you should use the free classifieds, but it also tells you a few tips on how to use them effectively.

Real Estate companies now focus on online advertising.

I found this article the other day and thought it was really interesting.  The recession is affecting many businesses and no one feels it more than the real estate market. Many real estate companies are looking for new ways to promote their houses and reach their target audiences in the most efficient way possible. 

Century21 has decided to adapt their traditional marketing to fit the struggling market.  Nationally Century21 will no longer spend money on television advertising and will switch all of their marketing to the Internet.

With most businesses leaning more on the internet these days, I think it is a great idea for the real estate market to renew their marketing goals.  With all of the opportunity for video and customizable searching, the internet is ideal for expanding the opportunities for real estate companies. 

If you are trying to sell, or even rent, one of your properties, we can help you connect to your customers online.  Let us help you get the most out of your online ads! 

What to look out for this season.

Most people do a lot of their holiday shopping online these days.  People are growing more and more comfortable buying and selling things online, but that doesn’t mean you can let your guard down while searching for the perfect gift online.  Unfortunately the holidays can mean a hay day for online scammers.  Don’t let these scams turn your holiday sour!

Name a Star
Stars are named by the International Astronomical Union and most of them only have numbers.  Websites that claim to sell you the name of a star have no more right to do it than your mom does.  Although it’s a great idea and you get a pretty certificate, it will not go on anything close to any “official registry.”  Save yourself the trouble and just print out a certificate of your own. 

Fake Websites
      Be careful of websites created for businesses that don’t even exist.  Always check with the Better Business Bureau if you have any doubts about a company’s credibility.  Any Web site that sends you unsolicited too good to be true emails is usually a scam site with no good scamming emails.  Trust your gut.  If it doesn’t feel right then it probably isn’t.

Going Out of Business Sales
In this market be careful when you shop online at company’s website that says it is going out of business.  These sales are usually final.  With so many stores actually going out of business, many people are selling their gift certificates online.  Before you buy a gift certificate from someone online, double check to make sure that the store will still be there when you will be ready to use your new plastic card.  No one likes to waste money!

Fake Charities
Unfortunately this happens too much around the Holidays.  Although we would like to think it never happens out there, many people will make up charities and pocket your kind donation. Most of these scams are solicited over the phone or door to door.  The Federal Trade Commission has some great tips about protecting yourself from these scams.  It tells you to ask the important questions such as the name of the charity, what percentage will go to support the described cause, and ask for them to verify the authorized solicitation.  And, of course, don’t provide any personal information until you have checked all of the information and always make sure you have a receipt!