Computer security experts have issued this warning many a time, think twice before clicking on pop-up ads!
A local man says he wishes he'd known how dangerous they can be,, before he made that very mistake.
When Josh Hershner of Fairfield needed some business cards he went on the internet and bought them from a company named VIsta Print.
That, he says, is when the trouble began.
JOSH HERSHNER: "A popup came up to say after I purchased them, save 20 bucks. So I said ok, I'll save 20 bucks and clicked on it and had to put my email address in."
Then, a few months later, Hershner says he noticed there were charges on his bank statement for $14.95 apiece, plus an overdraft fee. He learned this was because of the popup ads to which he had responded--
which came from a company called Vertrue.
According to the Better Business Bureau, the company was sued by the Attorneys General of Ohio and 6 other states between 2000 and 2004. While not admitting guilt, the company did agree to refunds and pay fines of between $25,000 and 1.5 million dollars.
HERSHER: "I called Vistaprint and asked them and they said these other companies were affiliates of Vistaprint and that was it. But they gave them my credit card information without my authorization too."
A spokesman for Vertrue says the company has an unconditional moneyback guarantee-- and has refunded Hershner's money in full-- including the overdraft fee.
He say Hershner should have seen there was a free trial offer and had been sent emails of confirmation.
Hershner says he didn't see any of that and now realizes he shouldn't ever use his debit card on the internet. Always use a credit card so you can dispute any charges.
