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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