An estimated 63 percent of shoppers search for online coupons or deals when they buy something on the Internet, according to the National Retail Foundation. Consumers are using their smart phones (17.3 percent) and tablets (21.5 percent) to redeem those coupons, an October NRF survey found. But look out, because scammers offer irresistible online coupons in order to trick people into handing over personal information.
One current coupon scam is to lure consumers with the prospect of winning a “free iPad," McAfee warns. "Consumers click on a 'phishing' site, which can result in e-mail spam and possibly dealing with identify theft."
In another variant, "consumers are offered an online coupon code and once they agree, are asked to provide personal information, including credit-card details, passwords and other financial data."
