Online deal searches could be costly

(WPRI) - With consumers heading online to find coupon deals, scammers are figuring out a way to use these websites to their advantage.

Signing up for coupon websites seems like a good and easy way to slash spending, but fake sites could end up costing you more than you could save.

According to the Better Business Bureau, online coupon services often collect your data, then sell it to a third party. Once they have your info, spam calls, texts, and emails will soon be on their way.

When researching different deal sites, remember the golden rule of online offers: if it looks too good to be true, it probably is. For example, a pop-up promising a $500 gift card to a major retailer is most likely a phishing scheme to get more of your personal information.

Another big tip-off? When a site asks you to pay for a coupon.

After you have found a legitimate deal, be sure to read the fine print. Sometimes online deals get lost in a "world wide web," only to be found again once they have expired.