Scam probe casts harsh light on Web retail

The sheer number of retailers accused of betraying customer trust, and the scrutiny being directed toward credit card companies, has churned up an unprecedented scandal for the e-commerce sector.

New York examines Web marketing 'scam'

The state follows up U.S. probe of "misleading" marketing practices by Orbitz, Barnes & Noble, and other online retailers.
(Posted in Media Maverick by Greg Sandoval)
January 28, 2010 12:54 AM PST

Affinion stops buying credit-card info from e-tailers

In a victory for consumers and a Senate committee, one of the marketers accused of duping Web shoppers into joining paid programs drops much-criticized practices.
(Posted in Media Maverick by Greg Sandoval)
January 8, 2010 11:47 AM PST

Marketers in credit card scandal start lobby effort

Webloyalty, Vertrue, and Affinion--under government scrutiny for their controversial marketing practices--are looking for help on Capitol Hill.
(Posted in Media Maverick by Greg Sandoval)
January 6, 2010 4:00 AM PST

E-tail Scrooges and how one woman defeated them

This is no "It's a Wonderful Life," but the thousands stung by Web marketing practices now under government scrutiny may find it a feel-good story anyway.
(Posted in Media Maverick by Greg Sandoval)
December 29, 2009 4:00 AM PST

Priceline shrinks from marketing scandal

Travel site has ended relationship with Affinion, one of the marketing firms accused of misleading consumers into signing up for monthly fees.
(Posted in Media Maverick by Greg Sandoval)
December 14, 2009 8:34 AM PST

Congress probes Visa, AmEx role in Web scam

Senate commerce committee wants the big credit card companies to explain how a Web marketing scam involving top retailers went on under their noses for years.
(Posted in Media Maverick by Greg Sandoval)
December 8, 2009 10:20 AM PST

Another e-tailer named in probe changes course

VistaPrint, an online printing company, says it is no longer connected to Affinion, one of three marketing companies accused of duping consumers into paying monthly fees.
(Posted in Media Maverick by Greg Sandoval)
December 1, 2009 5:28 PM PST

This holiday, who's looking out for online shoppers?

A long-running marketing ploy now under federal investigation has raised questions about why it was allowed to go on for nearly a decade.
(Posted in Media Maverick by Greg Sandoval)
November 25, 2009 4:00 AM PST

E-tailers snagged in marketing 'scam' blame customers

Priceline, Classmates.com, and Orbitz say customers should read the fine print before complaining about being charged recurring monthly fees to join loyalty programs they didn't want.
(Posted in Security by Greg Sandoval)
November 23, 2009 4:00 AM PST

Feds: Top e-tailers profit from billion-dollar Web scam

An investigation by a Senate subcommittee says millions of Americans were "tricked" into signing up for online membership clubs and were betrayed by many Web retailers.
(Posted in Digital Media by Greg Sandoval)
November 17, 2009 12:12 PM PST

Senate to disclose findings in Web 'mystery charge' probe

Numerous shoppers have traced mystery credit card charges to Webloyalty, Affinion, and Vertrue. Congress will reveal the results at a hearing Tuesday.
(Posted in Digital Media by Greg Sandoval)
November 16, 2009 2:50 PM PST

previous coverage

Congress demands info from Web loyalty firm

Vertrue, one of three companies accused of misleading consumers into signing up for recurring fees, gets a subpoena from a Senate committee.
(Posted in Digital Media by Greg Sandoval)
July 29, 2009 12:31 PM PDT

Buy.com, Orbitz linked to controversial marketers

Consumers hold "Web loyalty" companies responsible for mysterious charges on their credit card statements, but prominent e-tailers are still doing business with them.
(Posted in Digital Media by Greg Sandoval)
July 24, 2009 4:00 AM PDT