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Archive: 2009 Consumer Reports WebWatch Media Links
eBay Saves Historic Treasures By Selling Fakes
Information Week
May 5, 2009
"...The incidence of fraud on eBay today appears to have risen. According to a Consumer Reports WebWatch report released last December, 27% of New York state residents reported having a bad experience with an online auction..."
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Don't Get Hooked by Phishing Scams
Marketplace
March 20, 2009
Consumer Reports Webwatch Senior Producer Jørgen Wouters spoke with Marketplace host Tess Vigeland about phishing scams. Listen to the interview or read the transcipt.
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Consumer Groups Launch Badware-busting Community
PC World
March 17, 2009
"...The people behind StopBadware.org have launched a Web site where ordinary people can band together to fight computer viruses and adware. The online community site, called BadwareBusters.org, launched Tuesday. It is sponsored by Harvard University's Berkman Center, which runs StopBadware.org, and Consumer Reports WebWatch, an online information source for Web users..."
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BadwareBusters.org Launches to Help Computer Users Fight Back Against Viruses, Spyware
MarketWatch
March 17, 2009
"...'Our aim with BadwareBusters.org is to offer a place where all consumers can learn from each other and teach each other about the pervasive and daunting issue of malicious software,' said Beau Brendler, director of Consumer Reports WebWatch..."
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Consumer Groups Launch Badware-Busting Community
Network World
March 17, 2009
"...The online community site, called BadwareBusters.org, launched Tuesday. It is sponsored by Harvard University's Berkman Center, which runs StopBadware.org, and Consumer Reports WebWatch, an online information source for Web users..."
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Badwarebusters.org Launches To Help Computer Users Fight Back Against Viruses, Spyware
Dark Reading
March 17, 2009
"...StopBadware.org and Consumer Reports WebWatch announced today the full launch of BadwareBusters.org, a new online community for people looking for help preventing and countering viruses, spyware, and other "badware" on their computers and websites..."
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Take a Breath Before You Upload That!
Forbes.com
February 19, 2009
"...Consumer Reports WebWatch has published a guide to help you avoid that, while navigating our increasingly complicated digital lives, called 'Photos on the Web: A Consumers Guide...'"
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Self-Diagnosis on the Web
The Bulletin
February 5, 2009
"...Consumer Reports WebWatch and the Health Improvement Institute recently analyzed 20 of the most popular health Web sites for quality of information and ease of use, providing the following overall grades for the sites. More details on the evaluations can be found at www.healthratings.org..."
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StopBadware.org, the Place to Appeal a Google Malware Warning
CNET News
February 2, 2009
"...In the dog-eat-dog world of Web search, StopBadware.org shares a special status. The organization, launched in 2006 as a "neighborhood watch for the Internet," was coordinated by Harvard Law School's Berkman Center for Internet & Society. It gets data from Google, AOL, PayPal, Trend Micro, Lenovo and VeriSign, and Consumer Reports WebWatch is a special advisor..."
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Lurking Online, a Web Rife With ‘Evil Purposes’
The Buffalo News
January 2, 2009
"...The Federal Trade Commission does not yet have updated figures for the year just ended, but in 2007, a total of 1,709 people from the Buffalo Niagara region told the FTC they were victims of online fraud. 'It’s one of the top consumer complaints,' said Chuck Bell, programs director for Consumer Reports WebWatch..."
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Archive: 2008 Consumer Reports WebWatch Media Links
Shoppers Warned on Internet Fraud
The Ithaca Journal
December 18, 2008
"...'When we use the Internet, especially in the holidays, we're essentially trading convenience for a certain kind of risk,' WebWatch Director Beau Brendler said. The risk, he said, is being scammed on merchandise or having personal financial information stolen..."
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Shoppers Warned of Internet Fraud
The Journal News
December 18, 2008
"...Almost one in five Internet users was told by banks or credit card companies this year that his or her personal information was stolen, according to WebWatch. "The Internet has enabled criminals to have a far greater reach than they ever have before," Brendler said..."
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Beware of Web Scams, Shoppers Urged
Elmira Star-Gazette
December 18, 2008
"...Brendler recommended downloading antivirus software, which is free. He recommended downloading a free spyware defense mechanism, such as Spybot, which is also free, and for people to turn on their computers' firewalls, especially if they have broadband Internet connections..."
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Online Shopping Warning
FOX23 News
December 17, 2008
"...Words of warning from Consumer Reports about last-minute online holiday shopping. Be careful what personal information you give out when making purchases. It may sound like common sense, but consumer experts in Albany today are warning the public..."
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Shoppers Warned of Internet Fraud Scams
Press & Sun-Bulletin
December 17, 2008
"...Under the "Look Before You Click Campaign," sponsored by Attorney General Andrew Cuomo and the Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Reports WebWatch, an online affiliate of the Consumers Union, released new data regarding Internet users who fell victim to online fraud. They also suggested precautions consumers should take to avoid becoming a victim...."
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There's Nothing Like Fraud for the Holidays
Buffalo Business First
December 17, 2008
"...'There's good news, and there's bad news,' said Beau Brendler, director of WebWatch. 'People in New York are dealing with spam, fake lottery scams and some privacy concerns. But a significant number of us still have much to learn about protecting ourselves from con artists, fraudsters and other criminals on the Internet.'..."
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There's Nothing Like Fraud for the Holidays
AOL Money & Finance
December 17, 2008
"...Be careful what personal information you part with when making last-minute online holiday shopping purchases. Almost one in five New York state Internet users received a notification from their bank or credit card issuer in the last year saying personal or financial information had been compromised..."
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There's Nothing Like Fraud for the Holidays
Syracuse.com
December 17, 2008
"...For more than two years, online auction fraud has been the number onecomplaint of New York state residents to government organizations that keep track. The WebWatch survey shows that 27 percent of state residents who have ever used an online auction Web site, such as eBay or Amazon, have experienced a scam or deceptive practice - 32 percent of eBay users were scammed..."
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There's Nothing Like Fraud for the Holidays
Yahoo! News
December 17, 2008
"...The survey was commissioned by Consumer Reports WebWatch as part of its "Look Before You Click" campaign, supported by a CyberAwareness Grant from the New York State Office of Attorney General and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. The survey represents one of the most comprehensive studies of New York state Internet users, their behavior and their problems with online fraud in a variety of environments: Online auctions, shopping, e-mail and spam, privacy and others..."
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There's Nothing Like Fraud for the Holidays
Business Review
December 17, 2008
"...Almost a quarter of New York Internet users have encountered a badware problem over the past year, often slowing their computers and prompting them to run software to fix the problem, according to the survey..."
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There's Nothing Like Fraud for the Holidays
International Business Times
December 17, 2008
"...Eleven percent of online auction site users reported they never received the goods they bid on, the most common complaint. In addition, seven percent of survey respondents who received their goods said they were not in the condition they expected..." ...view
E-tailers That Offer Meaningful Gifts at Reasonable Prices
KOMO News.com
December 4, 2008
"...All of these sites have been screened by Consumer Reports Webwatch, an Internet watchdog group, for customer service, privacy and disclosure of important information..."
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Web Sites for Gifts that Give Back
ChicagoTribune.com
December 2, 2008
"...The experts at Consumer Reports WebWatch, an Internet watchdog group, screened all these sites. Internet investigators made sure that each one complies with guidelines for customer service, privacy and disclosure of important information, including contact information..."
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‘Tis the Season for Online Fraud
Identity Theft 911
December 1, 2008
"...As director of WebWatch, the online scam watchdog group run by Consumer Reports, Beau Brendler is an expert in both online shopping fraud and Internet technology. He’s also a huge fan of German actor Klaus Kinski. Surfing eBay, Brendler found what amounted to “the holy grail” for Kinski lovers: an original copy of Kinski’s movie “Paganini” on sale for $30 (Brendler admits his red flags should have gone off immediately; Kinski films usually sell for only $12)..."
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BadwareBusters.org: Internet Security Advice for the Non-Techie
The Industry Standard
November 25, 2008
"...A new website, BadwareBusters.org, wants to be the destination site for the average computer owner who has questions about viruses and spyware. The site launched in beta last week and was created by a non-profit housed at Harvard University. ConsumerReports WebWatch, a non-profit that investigates the credibility of websites, will help moderate the site. WebWatch is the Internet integrity division of Consumers Union, the publisher of Consumer Reports magazine..."
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"World Wide Web Health Awards" Exposed as Having Ties to Pharmaceutical Industry
Natural News
November 23, 2008
"...According to an article posted on the Consumer Reports WebWatch site, the "World Wide Web Health Awards" are administered by a company with major financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry..."
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13 Great Sites for Feel-Good Holiday Gifts Under $50
Market Watch
November 17, 2008
"...The experts at Consumer Reports WebWatch, an Internet watchdog group, screened all of these sites. Internet investigators made sure each one complies with guidelines for customer service, privacy and disclosure of important information, including contact information..."
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Look before You Click, and Think before You Look!
The ArtLab
October 31, 2008
"...As part of its 'Look before You Click' Campaign, Consumer Union's WebWatch released new data on Tuesday demonstrating the pervasive presence of malware. With a grant from the New York State Attorney General's office, WebWatch conducted a survey of New York residents and found that nearly one in four residents of the state had been the victim of a badware infection in the past year..."
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Internet Fraud On The Rise
NY1
October 29, 2008
"...Consumer Reports' WebWatch "Look Before You Click" education campaign, released data from its statewide survey of over 2,000 Internet users revealing some disturbing news. 'Almost a quarter of New York State Internet users in the study encountered a badware infection on their computers over the past year,' said WebWatch director Beau Brendler..."
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Malicious programs a problem for New York Internet users
Help Net Security
October 29, 2008
"...Almost a quarter of New York State Internet users encountered a badware infection on their computers over the past year, often slowing their computers and prompting them to run software to fix the problem, says a statewide survey by Consumer Reports WebWatch..."
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Malicious Programs a Problem for New York Internet Users
Reuters
October 28, 2008
"...The survey, focusing on online fraud in New York state, was commissioned by Consumer Reports WebWatch, which evaluates the credibility of Web sites and advocates for consumer-focused Internet policy and governance, and is being released to coordinate with National Cybersecurity Awareness Month and the launch of Consumer Reports' free Online Security Guide..."
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Malicious Programs a Problem for New York Internet Users
IT News Online
October 28, 2008
"...The survey is also part of WebWatch's ongoing 'Look Before You Click' campaign, supported by a Cyber-Awareness Grant from the New York State Attorney General and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission..."
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Online User Reviews: Can They Be Trusted?
Washington Post
October 23, 2008
"...Beau Brendler, Director of Consumer Reports' WebWatch site, says that the bottom line is: "[Fake reviews] happen all the time--but proving it, quantifying it--is very hard..."
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Online User Reviews: Can They Be Trusted?
PC World
October 20, 2008
"...WebWatch--whose motto is "Look Before You Click"--says on its site that its credibility campaign has led more than 170 sites, including CNN, CNet, The New York Times, Travelocity, and Orbitz to agree to uphold WebWatch's credibility guidelines..."
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Consumer Reports WebWatch Survey: More Than 25 Percent of New Yorkers Stung in Online Auction Site Scams
VerticalNews
October 10, 2008
"...According to a recent statewide survey by Consumer Reports WebWatch, the Internet integrity division of Consumers Union, the non-profit publisher of Consumer Reports magazine, 27 percent of New York state residents who have ever used an online auction Web site, such as eBay or Amazon, have experienced a scam or deceptive practice -- 32 percent of eBay users were scammed..."
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What's in a Name?
WorldChanging
October 9, 2008
"...For more on green myths vs. reality, go to www.frontgroups.org, a joint project of Consumer Reports WebWatch and the Center for Media and Democracy..." ...view
New York - 27% of New Yorkers Have Been Cheated in Online Sale
Vos Iz Neias?
October 5, 2008
"...'Con artists, ripoff specialists and sophisticated criminals can catch you at every step of the process, from bidding to payment to shipment,' said Beau Brendler, director of Consumer Reports WebWatch..."
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Auction Ripoffs on eBay and other sites No. 1 Gripe for Internet Consumers
Daily News
October 4, 2008
"...'Con artists, ripoff specialists and sophisticated criminals can catch you at every step of the process, from bidding to payment to shipment,' said Beau Brendler, director of Consumer Reports WebWatch..."
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More Than 25 Percent of New Yorkers Stung in Online Auction Site Scams, Survey Says
Government Technology
October 2, 2008
"...'Online auctions are great for bargains, quirky merchandise and collectibles, but you need to know what you are doing,' said Beau Brendler, director of Consumer Reports WebWatch..."
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Over 25% of New Yorkers Have Fallen Victims to Online Auction Fraud
The Paypers
October 2, 2008
"...A study focusing on online fraud reveals that 27 percent of New York based customers who have visited an online auction website, including eBay and Amazon, have been victims of scams or have witnessed deceptive practice..."
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Consumer Reports: 1 in 4 New Yorkers Shopping Online Ripped Off
am New York
October 1, 2008
"...About 27 percent of New York state residents who used sites such as eBay, Amazon.com and Overstock were victims of a scam or some sort of deceptive practice, making online auction fraud the Internet-related complaint most often lodged with state and federal officials, Consumer Reports WebWatch found..."
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Consumer Reports WebWatch Survey: More Than 25 Percent of New Yorkers Stung in Online Auction Site Scams
Reuters
October 1, 2008
"...Online auction fraud ranks first among the types of complaints New York state consumers make about the Internet to state and federal officials. According to a recent statewide survey by Consumer Reports WebWatch, the Internet integrity division of Consumers Union, the non-profit publisher of Consumer Reports magazine, 27 percent of New York state residents who have ever used an online auction Web site, such as eBay or Amazon, have experienced a scam or deceptive practice -- 32 percent of eBay users were scammed..."
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Google Loses The 'Great Wall'
searchnewz
September 19, 2008
"...In years past Consumer Reports WebWatch studies showed that consumers struggled to differentiate ads from organic search results and that 'more than 60 percent of respondents were unaware that search engines accept fees to list some sites more prominently than others in search results'..."
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Limiting, and Watching, What Children Watch
New York Times
September 14, 2008
"...Many social scientists see a growing need for media literacy, especially on the Internet. A blistering analysis by Consumer Reports WebWatch earlier this year asserted that many online games and virtual worlds are ruses to sell toys or junk food..."
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2 of 7 Sites May Make You Forget YouTube
IndyStar.com
June 28, 2008
"...www.frontgroups.org: Ever wonder who funds all those studies you read about and who sends that direct mail to your door? This site may have some information for you. At the very least, it's an interesting read. The site seeks to expose industry-funded front groups, or groups that "state a particular agenda, while hiding or obscuring their identity, membership or sponsorship." This site is run by nonprofits Consumer Reports WebWatch and the Center for Media and Democracy..."
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Are Airlines Saving the Best Deals for their Own Websites?
USA Today
June 3, 2008
"...Consider what we found when we conducted extensive apples-to-apples testing of travel sites for Consumer Reports WebWatch in 2004 and 2005. When we examined U.S. travel sites selling airline tickets on international routes in September 2004, we found the leading third-party sites—Expedia, Orbitz, and Travelocity—were much better at providing lowest fares and even 'closest' fares (within $10 of the lowest price)..."
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Understanding Young Children and the Commercial Internet
currybetdotnet
May 16, 2008
"...I've been ploughing my way through the recently published 58 pages of the 'Like Taking Candy From a Baby: How Young Children Interact with Online Environments' report by Warren Buckleitner of the Mediatech Foundation. It is a really interesting piece of work based on video tapes of 15 children using the Internet in their home environment, with the film being recorded by their parents and siblings..."
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Consumer Groups Criticize Web Sites for Manipulating Children in the Name of Profit
Future Tense
May 13, 2008
WebWatch adviser Warren Buckleitner spoke with American Public Media's Future Tense host Jon Gordon about WebWatch's recent report on children's online sites, which Buckleitner authored. Listen to the interview.
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Telecommuting is Growing
CNN: Your Money
May 11, 2008
"...Are there legitimate work at home opportunities out there? BRENDLER: Yes, there are, but you won't find them in e-mail and you won't find them posted to a telephone pole or under the windshield wiper of your car. You will find them in the want ads of the newspapers and online sites like Monster.com or Career Builder, though not every ad you see there is for real, either, so you need to do your homework and find out who you are trying to work for..."
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Surpise! Study Finds Marketers Dominate Kids’ Web
Raising Digital Kids
May 10, 2008
"...Warren Buckleitner, founder of the learning lab, Mediatech Foundation, teamed up with Consumer Reports WebWatch to author this compelling observation of the youngest of the Internet crowd, kids ages 2 through 8..."
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Kids' Websites 'Exploiting' Youngsters
VNUNET.com
May 8, 2008
"...A study released by Consumer Reports WebWatch and the Mediatech Foundation found that it is common for children as young as two and a half to go online, and that the most popular children's sites are "moderately" to "heavily" commercialised..."
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Use Technology, Make a Child Cry
Reuters
May 8, 2008
"...A somewhat more entertaining study out earlier this week from Consumer Reports WebWatch and the and the Mediatech Foundation found that many children’s Web site publishers manipulate kids — and even bring them to tears..."
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Children's Web Sites Might Entertain, Also Cause Tears
Government Technology
May 8, 2008
"...Publishers of many major children's Web sites should do a better job disclosing sales and advertising information to parents, especially as more kids at younger ages go online to play and meet friends, says a study released Tuesday by Consumer Reports WebWatch and the Mediatech Foundation of Flemington, N.J..."
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Sites "Amigos" das Crianças "Manipulam" os Mais Jovens
Sol
May 8, 2008
"...Um estudo lançado pela Consumer Reports WebWatch e a Mediatech Foundation concluiu, segundo o portal Vnunet, que é comum as crianças a partir dos dois anos e meio irem à Internet e que os portais mais populares entre os mais jovens são «moderadamente» ou «muito» comercializáveis..."
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Sites May Make Children Cry
WZRB
May 6, 2008
"...Publishers of many major children's Web sites should do a better job disclosing sales and advertising information to parents, especially as more kids at younger ages go online to play and meet friends, says a study released by Consumer Reports WebWatch and the Mediatech Foundation of Flemington, N.J...."
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Study: This Business Is Getting Personal
Advertising Age
April 28, 2008
"...Beau Brendler, director, Consumer Reports Web Watch, said marketers are using technology that ups the price of an item the second time a consumer looks at it on a website, hoping the browser is willing to pay top dollar. It also has been used to hike the price for someone in a more well-to-do neighborhood..."
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Children Need Better Web Experiences
The Lakeland Ledger
April 26, 2008
"...Warren Buckleitner, the editor of Children's Technology Review, has been engaged in an interesting - and revealing - project. It was done in conjunction with Consumer Reports WebWatch, and sought to find out how children use the Internet..."
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Don't Fall for Work-at-Home Scams
MSNBC.com
April 21, 2008
"...'Work-at-home scams are the number one thing consumers write in to ask about,' says Beau Brendler, director of Consumer Reports WebWatch, who estimates ten out of ten e-mails he gets about such offers are not legitimate..."
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Web Site Credibility is a Thing of Beauty
The Coloradoan
March 17, 2008
"...A 2001 study by Consumer WebWatch showed that when you ask Web users what criteria they use to judge a site's integrity, they generally say they look for outward signs of meticulousness, such as well-presented customer-service and privacy policies, and clarity around who sponsors the site..."
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Spin Comes Under Full Frontal Scrutiny in America
straight.com
March 10, 2008
"...A recently launched website aims to expose political and corporate spin in the American media. Full Frontal Scrutiny's stated aim is to 'focus public attention on the people and organizations who function in our society as hidden persuaders.'..."
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How to Get a 4-star Hotel at a Low-Star Price
USA Today
February 22, 2008
"...'If price is your primary driver, there's no question that Priceline beats the alternatives,' says online travel expert Bill McGee, who has researched opaque sites for Consumer Reports WebWatch..."
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Online Reputation Management is Hot -- But is it Ethical?
Computerworld
February 12, 2008
"...'This is the Internet -- there are no rules written anywhere,' about what can or can't be done, says Beau Brendler, director of Consumer Reports WebWatch, the online investigative arm of Consumer Reports. He admits, however, that he was shocked when his consumer advocacy site appeared on a list of 'problem sites' targeted by an SEO agency called Done SEO..."
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Craig Newmark Has a Bright Future in Advertising
Time
February 8, 2008
"...I liked Newmark's version better. He mentioned Full Frontal Scrutiny, the new Consumer's Union/Center for Media and Democracy effort to expose 'astroturf' corporate front groups, and said, 'It's gonna be harder to be phony.'..." ...view
Disney Makes Virtual Play for Kids
The Telegraph-Journal
February 4, 2008
"...With Disney, the idea is to impress its brands and products on young consumers, Brendler said. 'Disney tends to see its products as marketing channels for its other products,' he said. 'Parents just need to be aware that Disney is a very smart marketer.'..."
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Get Your Free Credit Report -- Without the Hassle
The Street.com
January 30, 2008
"...A 2007 Consumer Reports WebWatch analysis of 24 such Web sites found that nine were owned by or closely connected to TransUnion; eight were owned by or otherwise closely connected to Experian..."
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Full Frontal Scrutiny: Exposing Front Groups
Huffington Post
January 29, 2008
"...Well, Consumers Union WebWatch and the Center for Media and Democracy have just launched Full Frontal Scrutiny, the purpose of which is to expose consumer-related front groups..."
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Your Internet Campaign Tip Sheet
The Nation
January 29, 2008
"...Some companies have seized on web organizing to create fake "astroturf" groups or pose as citizen journalists to advance corporate PR. Today those dogged Wisconsin organizers at the Center for Media and Democracy launched a new wiki-powered activist site to expose such front operations, called Full Frontal Scrutiny..."
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Consumer Reports Helps Launch Web site
LoHud.com
January 29, 2008
"...The Web site Full Frontal Scrutiny launched yesterday as a joint venture between Yonkers-based Consumer Reports and the Center for Media and Democracy in Madison, Wis..."
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'Full Frontal Scrutiny' Web Site Exposes the Work of Front Groups
Pharma Marketing Network Forums
January 29, 2008
"...Full Frontal Scrutiny is a joint venture between Consumer Reports WebWatch and the Center for Media and Democracy. The site seeks to shine a light on front groups -- organizations that state a particular agenda, while hiding or obscuring their identity, membership or sponsorship, or all three..."
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Disney Adds Fantasy Lands
LA Times
January 28, 2008
"...'None of the environments we looked at gave you something for nothing,' said Beau Brendler, director of Consumer Reports WebWatch, which is set to release a survey of 10 virtual world and game sites for children. 'They either want information for marketing purposes or money to subscribe.'..."
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Medical Diagnosis Just a Mouse Click Away
Newsday
January 22, 2008
"...Beau Brendler, director of Consumer Reports WebWatch, says his researchers over the years have seen a lot of bogus medical sites that are more about selling a product or pushing supplements. 'We noticed that a number of sites weren't doing as good at making the distinction between the ads and the content,' he says..."
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Where to Check Your Financial Pulse
Barron's
January 21, 2008
"...Consumer Reports Webwatch, the Consumers Union financial watchdog, uncovered two dozen sites with almost five dozen offers trying to divert consumers from the free credit-report path. Most are fronts for the credit-reporting agencies themselves, including one run by Experian that was fined $1.25 million by the Federal Trade Commission for two instances of deceptive practices..."
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Avoiding Online Bait and Switch
Wired
January 18, 2008
"...According to Beau Brendler, director of Consumer Reports WebWatch, you have no legal right to demand a comparable camera. Then again, it might not be an error — the company could be running an elementary bait and switch, hoping you'll opt for the lesser product. Stick to your guns and demand your money back, pronto. 'If they don't give you a refund within 24 hours,' Brendler says, 'start getting concerned.'..."
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Tech Toys for Tots
Newsweek
January 8, 2008
"...Presumably the new site won't bombard Junior with advertising. Or, for that matter, get him hooked on a game before demanding money from Mom and Dad if he wants to keep playing—something Buckleitner says sites like Webkinz and Nick Jr. have turned into a science. He's currently drafting a paper for Consumer Reports' WebWatch Group on the topic..."
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Kids Get Some Attention at CES
Yahoo! Tech
January 8, 2008
"...One of my favorite moments so far at CES this year came during a Sandbox Summit session to discuss how kids play with technology. Warren Buckleitner, editor of Children's Technology Review, shared some video from an in-progress research project with Consumer Reports WebWatch on how young kids interact with some of the tech toys designed for them..."
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Sears, Kmart community Software Called 'Badware'
CNET News.com
January 8, 2008
"...The nonprofit organization run by Harvard Law School, Oxford University, and Consumer Reports WebWatch said it cited the Sears Holding Corporation community in particular 'because of inadequate disclosure of extensive tracking and data collection and because the application does not identify itself while running.'..."
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Archive: 2007 Consumer Reports WebWatch Media Links
'Free' Credit Reports Come at Cost
Salinas Californian
December 20, 2007
"...The most ubiquitous: pitches for free credit reports and free credit scores if you subscribe to a "credit monitoring" service that alerts you each time a lender checks your credit history, said Robert Mayer, a University of Utah professor who has analyzed two dozen such sites for Consumer Reports WebWatch. 'The word "free" is used so freely that it really has no meaning in the context of these types of sites,' Mayer said..."
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Shop Smart: Web sites full of Fun, Off-The-Wall Gifts
Post-Gazette NOW
December 16, 2007
"...ShopSmart, the shopping magazine published by Consumer Reports, scoured the Web for sites with fun and quirky gifts. And shoppers can feel good about ordering at these sites because experts at Consumer Reports' WebWatch division, a watchdog group focused on raising Web site standards, screened them..."
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Experts to Facebook: Mind Your Manners
PC World
December 6, 2007
"...'This controversy may help awaken consumers to the fact that [privacy violations] happen on Web sites everywhere all the time,' said Beau Brendler, director of Consumer Reports WebWatch..." ...view
'Free' Credit Reports Sometimes Aren't Free
USA Today
November 28, 2007
"...The most ubiquitous: pitches for free credit reports and free credit scores if you subscribe to a "credit monitoring" service that alerts you each time a lender checks your credit history, says Robert Mayer, a University of Utah professor who has analyzed two dozen such sites for Consumer Reports WebWatch. 'The word 'free' is used so freely that it really has no meaning in the context of these types of sites,'" Mayer says..."
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Web Experts Weigh Value of 'Trustmarks' for Health Sites
National Journal's Technology Daily
November 12, 2007
"...In theory, consumers should be able to click on a trustmark symbol and be taken to a page that lists the requirements for earning that certification, said Jorgen Wouters, senior Web producer at Consumer Reports WebWatch. But he added that sometimes the links are dead, the ratings are outdated or the information is not helpful..."
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Pay Up, Kid, or Your Igloo Melts
New York Times
October 28, 2007
"...Consumer groups like Common Sense Media and Consumer Reports WebWatch say games for tweens and children have proliferated noticeably over the last two years and now number in the hundreds..."
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American Citizens Denied Access to Free Credit Report Web Site
Associated Content
October 26, 2007
"...According to Consumer Reports Webwatch, due to increased security measures, millions of American citizens who are now out of the country for different reasons including students and those in the military, do not have access to see their free credit report..."
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'Security Risk' Blocks U.S. Troops Overseas from Free Credit Report Site
EarthTimes.org
October 24, 2007
"...But access to AnnualCreditReport.com is denied to Americans living outside the United States, a Consumer Reports WebWatch investigation has found. This includes not only students and private citizens, but government employees and military personnel, including combat troops in Afghanistan and Iraq..."
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Dr. Internet Will See You Now
Raleigh News & Observer
October 10, 2007
"...Six Web sites received "Excellent" ratings from a 2005 review by Consumer Reports. Here's a quick synopsis of each site, plus what Consumer Reports liked about them..." ...view
Six Online Shopping Scams
SmartMoney
October 9, 2007
"...It's not that shoppers are more gullible, says Jorgen Wouters, a senior researcher for Consumer Reports. Rapidly advancing technology enables scammers to work more efficiently and creatively, simultaneously baiting hooks for thousands of deal-fishing consumers--and hitting harder those who bite..."
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Net Scam-Fighting Tool Disappearing?
MSNBC.com
September 21, 2007
"...'It's one of the first things we teach consumers to do, look up the Whois information,' said Beau Brendler, director of Consumer WebWatch, the Internet arm of Consumers Union. Brendler, a recent appointee to an ICANN advisory board studying the issue, is a vocal opponent of shutting down Whois access. 'There needs to be a way for consumers to get at this information.'..."
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Which Drugstore Web Site Has the Most Reliable Information?
KOMOTV.com
September 20, 2007
". . .'We found that by and large the drugstores are good source of good general health information, but just in and of themselves the Web sites are not enough,' says Beau Brendler, director of Consumer Reports WebWatch. . ." ...view
When Free Really isn't Free
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
September 20, 2007
". . . Consumer Reports WebWatch recently analyzed 24 credit report sites with "free" or "credit" in their names. More than half offered free credit reports if you signed up for monitoring services that cost between $120 and $160 a year. Others offered free credit scores if you buy three credit reports. . ."
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Walgreens.com Ranks Highest Among Online Drugstores
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
September 12, 2007
"...'Consumers should think of online drugstores the same way they think of drugstores you walk into,' said Beau Brendler, director of Consumer Reports WebWatch. 'You shouldn't be getting all your health information in the store, where product placement, advertising and other persuasions are at work.'..."
...view
Medical Information and the Internet...Can You Trust What You Read?
The Kathleen Show
September 12, 2007
Consumer Reports WebWatch Director Beau Brendler recently spoke with The Kathleen Show host Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau about sorting good health information from the bad on the Internet. Listen to the interview.
...view
Companies' Online Reputations
Scrubbed Clean
MSNBC.com
September 11, 2007
"...'Trying to make a buck by burying legitimate information that consumers can use to make a decision, that's a problem,' Brendler said. 'If everybody games the system, then search engines will become not much more than yellow pages.' ..." ...view
Medical Web Advice
Sarasota HeraldTribune
September 4, 2007
". . .The best sites make the reader the No. 1 priority--depth and quality of information, separation of advertising from the articles, and ease of use follow from that priority,' said Beau Brendler, Consumer Reports WebWatch's director. . . " ...view
Consumers Duped into Buying Reports They Can Get for Free
InvestmentNews
August 20, 2007
"...'Consumers are better off obtaining the three free reports per year they are entitled to by law from annualcreditreport.com, and purchasing credit scores from that site for as little as $8 each, than spending $160 per year on credit monitoring or $75 on scores,' Beau Brendler, director of Consumer Reports WebWatch, said..."
...view
Prescription for Some of Web's Top Health Info Sites: Cut the Commercials
Forbes
July 31, 2007
"...'The best sites make the reader the number one priority -- depth and quality of information, separation of advertising from the articles, and ease of use follow from that priority,' said Beau Brendler, Consumer Reports WebWatch's director..."
...view
Prescription for Some of Web's Top Health Info Sites: Cut the Commercials
Smart Money
July 31, 2007
"...'We're gratified to see sites making improvements in those areas most important to users' trust and perception of credibility,' said Beau Brendler, Consumer Reports WebWatch's director..."
...view
Costly 'Free' Credit Reports are Everywhere
MSNBC.com
July 24, 2007
"...Consumers Union's Web Watch, run by the same folks who publish Consumer Reports magazine, recently commissioned a study of the 'free' credit report Web sites. Robert Mayer, a professor at the University of Utah and author of the study, came away with the opinion that most of the sites are 'sleazy.'..."
...view
Getting 'Free' Report is Easy
The Arziona Republic
July 22, 2007
"...In cooperation with Consumer Reports WebWatch, they looked at all those free credit report offers that are all over the Internet..."
...view
Beware of Costly Services on Way to 'Free' Credit Report
MarketWatch
July 18, 2007
"...Consumer Reports WebWatch recently reviewed 24 sites offering "free" credit reports and found that the proliferation of these other sites -- which invariably charge a fee for bundling several services together -- was creating confusion..."
...view
'Free' Credit Reports Often Have Strings Attached
The Daily Utah Chronicle
July 16, 2007
"...While the report addresses 24 sites, most are owned by or have close connections to two major Credit Report Bureaus: Experian and Transunion. 'In any marketplace, the existence of only two companies is never good,' Mayer said..."
...view
Consumer Group Criticizes Web Sites that Offer 'Free' Credit Reports
Future Tense
July 16, 2007
Consumer Reports WebWatch Director Beau Brendler spoke with Future Tense host Jon Gordon about WebWatch's recent study on sites offering "free" credit reports. Listen to the interview.
...view
It Doesn't Cost a Lot to Check Credit Rating
Chicago Tribune
July 14, 2007
"...There are affordable ways of getting your credit score. Some Web sites charge as much as $75 for a credit score, says Consumer Reports, but getting your FICO score doesn't have to cost a mint. You can obtain your credit score for as little as $8 at AnnualCreditReport.com..."
...view
Monitoring Credit Can Be Affordable
CBS News
July 12, 2007
"...If you are worried about safeguarding your credit you may be tempted to sign up for the credit-monitoring services sold by financial companies. But there are more affordable ways to track your credit rating, according to Consumer Reports..."
...view
Three Affordable Ways to Track Your Credit
MarketWatch
July 12, 2007
". . .If you are worried about safeguarding your credit you may be tempted to sign up for the credit-monitoring services sold by financial companies. But there are more affordable ways to track your credit rating, according to Consumer Reports. . ." ...view
Be Wary Of Free Credit Report Sites
WebProNews
July 10, 2007
"...There are a number of Web sites that heavily advertise "free" credit reports and charge consumers for services they probably do not need, according to a Consumer Reports WebWatch study..."
...view
Companies 'Charging' for Free Credit Reports
Newsday
July 9, 2007
"...Online companies marketing 'free' credit reports are actually selling unnecessary services to consumers, a new Consumer Reports study has found..."
...view
ICANN Mulls Registrar Changes
PC World
June 26, 2007
"...Beau Brendler, director of Consumer Reports WebWatch, suggested that ICANN provide more information about registrars, including ratings, so that consumers can make better informed decisions when choosing one..."
...view
Those 'Free' Credit Reports Can End Up Costing a Lot
The Kansas City Star
June 10, 2007
"...'One of the things we are concerned about is how they use the term "free," ' said Beau Brendler, director of Consumer Reports Web Watch. When people go to these sites, he said, they are often sucked into spending $10 a month on things like credit monitoring. 'We don't recommend credit monitoring for the average consumer,' Brendler said..."
You Can Get Cash or Free Goods by Using Websites that Refer You to Online Retailers. But You Must Give Out Personal Data
Los Angeles Times
April 15, 2007
"...The privacy rules concerning personal information at MyPoints aren't clear, Consumers Union's Beau Brendler said. MyPoints' policy, as posted on the site, says information shared with other companies about subscribers 'is in aggregate form and is designed to ensure you are not identified personally.'..."
...view
eBay Software Bargains and Pitfalls
Reuters
March 23, 2007
"...Consumers Union -- which tracks Web retailers and advises consumers on Internet shopping through its ConsumerWebWatch.org service -- urges buyers to use common sense. 'If it sounds too good to be true, it is,' says Beau Brendler, director of Web Credibility for the site..."
...view
Banks Must Encourage Consumer Acceptance of Online Banking
Dubai Photo Media News Agency
January 6, 2007
". . .A 2005 report by Consumer WebWatch found that internet users who have used an e-commerce or financial management site are more trusting of online banking sites, automatic bill pay sites, credit history sites, and others. And internet users who have bought items online are more likely to say they have a lot of trust in online banking sites. . ." ...view
Archive: 2006 Consumer Reports WebWatch Media Links
How to Shop Online Without Getting Malled
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
December 9, 2006
". . . '"Buyer beware" applies with an order of magnitude when you're shopping online,' said Jorgen Wouters, a senior producer with Consumer Reports WebWatch. . ." ...view
Avoiding the Online Grinches
MarketWatch
November 16, 2006
". . . 'Companies are realizing that this is a problem and that if they lose the trust and confidence of consumers, they'll be out of business,' said Jorgen Wouters, a senior producer with Consumer Reports WebWatch. . . "
...view
20 Most Popular Diet Web Sites Rated
WebMD Medical News
September 29, 2006
"...The 20 most popular diet web sites are all over the map, in terms of quality, according to a new report. The report comes from Consumer Reports WebWatch and the Health Improvement Institute... " ...view
Kids on keyboards
The Journal News
August 28, 2006
". . . Although the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children under 2 avoid TV and computer screens, the goal can be unrealistic in practice, said New Jersey educational psychologist Warren Buckleitner, editor of the Children's Technology Review and adviser to Yonkers-based Consumer Union's Consumer WebWatch project. . ." ...view
Complaint Postings Could Leave You Open to Lawsuit
The Lexington Herald Leader
August 14, 2006
". . . Big business is also watching, experts say. Beau Brendler, director of Consumer Report's WebWatch, an online marketplace watchdog, says companies take what is said about them in public very seriously, especially if there's visual proof against them. 'Some stores have literally tried to sue consumers who make bad comments,' he said. . ."
Consumers Fight Back, How to Press your Case - Online or Off
Newsday
August 10, 2006
". . .Big business is also watching, experts say. Beau Brendler, director of Consumer Report's WebWatch, an online marketplace watchdog, says companies take what is said about them in public very seriously, especially if there's visual proof against them. . ." ...view
Internet Scam Promises Money in Your Account to Fill Out a Survey
Detroit Free Press
July 23, 2006
". . .It's incredibly effective," said Beau Brendler, director of Consumer Reports 'WebWatch. "It seems, no matter what advice is given to consumers, they still fall for it. . ." ...view
Good Question
Capital-Gazette
June 11, 2006
". . . Beau Brendler, director of Consumer Reports WebWatch, suggests that people also look for 'https' - the 's' for secure - instead of just "http" in the address bar. 'If you see the padlock and more importantly the https, you've got a fairly good indication that the page is secure," he said. "They are one element of several things to possibly look for.' . . ."
What Can Browsers Tell Me About How Safe an E-Commerce Site is?
The Associated Press
May 30, 2006
". . .Beau Brendler, director of Consumer Reports WebWatch, suggests that people also look for 'https' the 's' for secure instead of just 'http' in the address bar. 'If you see the padlock and more importantly the https, you've got a fairly good indication that the page is secure,' he said. 'They are one element of several things to possibly look for.' But of course, he said, 'you're never necessarily guaranteed anything. There's a certain amount of risk in any transaction.'. . ." ...view
Archive: 2005 Consumer Reports WebWatch Media Links
Who's the Best Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz?
Kansas City infoZine News
December 26, 2005
". . . Despite the growing popularity of travel search engines - which search multiple sources of information, including Web-only clearinghouses such as Expedia, Travelocity and Orbitz - among consumers, no single site has yet to emerge as the best destination for low prices and customer service, Consumer Reports WebWatch finds in a report released recently. . ." ...view
Bots Can Help You Comparison-Shop Online
The Virginian-Pilot
December 14, 2005
". . . 'Chances are, those are sort of like a maitre d? trying to get you to order the specials in a restaurant,' said Beau Brendler, director of Consumer Reports WebWatch. . ." ...view
Resorts Want Bookings on Their Own Sites
Las Vegas Business Press
December 5, 2005
"...Too much flashy content can take the place of usability, leaving some customers headed to the competition, cautions Beau Brendler, director of Consumer Reports' nonprofit consumer WebWatch..." ...view
Offering a World of Travel Promises
Charlotte Observer
December 5, 2005
"...'When it comes to these guarantees, the thing consumers have to be aware of is they come with some fine print and some caveats,' says Bill McGee, a travel consultant for Consumer Reports WebWatch, a consumer group that researches Internet business practices..." ...view
Shop Talk: Internet Purchases
NorthJersey.com
December 1, 2005
"...At the same time, four in five Internet users are concerned about people stealing their personal information from e-retailers. Nearly nine out of 10 users told Consumer Reports WebWatch that this has prompted more scrutiny, such as reading a site's privacy policy or user agreement before buying..." ...view
Shop Around for Web Deals
Fort Wayne News-Sentinel
November 28, 2005
"Internet travel sites have helped make it easier than ever to book everything from a flight to a complete vacation. While most major sites offer travelers easy access to great deals, there are still pitfalls, according to Bill McGee, travel consultant for Consumer Reports WebWatch..." ...view
Prepare for Takeoff
Real Simple
November 27, 2005
"In the golden age of aviation, airplane seats were arranged two by two, flight attendants were called stewardesses and wore pert little caps, and every passenger was treated like a first-class citizen..." ...view
The Invisible Threat Coming Your Way
Globe and Mail
November 22, 2005
"...A study released in late October by Consumer Reports Webwatch suggests that is exactly what consumers are doing..." ...view
Search Referrals Skyrocketing for Shopping Comparison Sites
Information Week
November 22, 2005
"...A study released last month by Consumer Reports WebWatch found that one-fourth of adult Internet users have stopped buying things online out of fear of identity theft..." ...view
Consumers Still Don't Trust the Internet
iMedia Connection
November 15, 2005
"It just keeps coming, doesn't it? Consumers are increasingly voicing their concerns about online commerce and marketing, and every month or two brings more data about how they are responding to security and privacy concerns..." ...view
Living on the Edge of E-Commerce Tech
Sci-Tech Today
November 10, 2005
"...However, increased consumer concerns over fraud and online identity theft potentially could derail future e-commerce growth unless something is done to turn perceptions around. A recent survey from Consumer Reports Webwatch claimed that as many as 25 percent of consumers might avoid online shopping altogether..." ...view
Shoppers Still Wary of Online Market
November 8, 2005
"Consumer distrust of online commerce remains widespread, according to a national study released last week..." ...view
Quick Takes on Health
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
November 7, 2005
"...Consumer Reports WebWatch offers ratings of popular health information Web sites..." ...view
U.S. Web Usage Hit by Security Fears
Business World Ireland
October 27, 2005
"...The survey by Consumer Reports WebWatch, a joint effort of the consumer magazine Consumer Reports and other organisations, found Internet users are less trustful of Websites and have been adjusting their behaviour due to what they see as threats online..." ...view
Our World Transcript
Voice of America
October 27, 2005
"...A new survey indicates that American Internet users have increasing concerns about whether they can trust online material that comes into their computers..." ...view
Ten Ways to Protect Your Computer
Digital Home Canada
October 27, 2005
"...A recent survey by Consumer Reports WebWatch has found that nearly one-third of U.S. Internet users are cutting back on Web usage..." ...view
Survey: Trust Online Is Dwindling
Human Events Online
October 27, 2005
"A quarter of respondents to a major new Internet survey report they have stopped buying things online. Another 30 percent have reduced their Internet use, while 45 percent 'worry a lot' about identity theft. Yes, trust online has dwindled alarmingly..." ...view
Theft Affecting Internet Usage
Winston-Salem Journal
October 27, 2005
"...A Consumer Reports poll released yesterday found that one in four Web users say that they have stopped shopping online because of perceived security risks, and more than half no longer give such information as addresses or birth dates over the Internet..." ...view
ID Theft Fears Slow Internet Commerce
Potomac News Online
October 27, 2005
"...A Consumer Reports poll released Wednesday found that one in four Web users say they have stopped shopping online because of perceived security risks, and more than half no longer give personal information like addresses or birthdates over the Internet..." ...view
Internet Users Cut Back Because of Fears
The Associated Press
October 26, 2005
"As identity theft has grown, so has fear of being victimized through high-tech means. Nearly a third of Internet users are cutting back on time spent surfing the Internet and a quarter say they have stopped buying online altogether, according to a study from Consumer Reports WebWatch..." ...view
Survey Says: Some 'Net Users No Longer Shopping Online
The Washington Post
October 26, 2005
"A new survey from Consumer Reports contains some interesting findings about the level of trust that consumers place in Internet commerce, including evidence that roughly 25 percent of Internet users no longer shop online because of fears over identity theft and fraud..." ...view
Security Issues Lead to a Decrease of Internet Usage
Softpedia
October 26, 2005
"...The survey by Consumer Reports WebWatch proves that Internet users are less trustful of websites and have been changing their behavior because of what they see as online threats..." ...view
Web Threats Keep Users Away
eWeek.com
October 26, 2005
"New research released by Consumer Reports WebWatch finds that U.S. Internet users are cutting back on the hours they spend online, shunning e-commerce and refusing to give out personal information as a result of the rising tide of Web-based crimes related to identity theft..." ...view
Security Fears on Internet Cause Big Cuts in U.S. Web Usage
Forbes.com
October 26, 2005
"...The survey by Consumer Reports WebWatch, a joint effort of the consumer magazine Consumer Reports and other organizations, found Internet users are less trustful of websites and have been adjusting their behavior due to what they see as threats online..." ...view
Online Criminals Are Chasing Web Users Away
Information Week
October 26, 2005
"The survey of 1,500 Web users found 3 in 10 have reduced their time on the Internet and more than half have stopped giving out personal information, Consumer Reports said..." ...view
That Fare You See May Not Be the Fare You Get -- Here's Why
The Los Angeles Times
August 7, 2005
"...Yet something similar sometimes happens when shopping for airfares at third-party travel websites such as Orbitz, Expedia and Travelocity, according to several recent studies from Consumer Reports WebWatch, a project of the nonprofit Consumers Union based in Yonkers, N.Y...." ...view
Site for Sore Eyes (Legs, Etc.)
The Washington Post
June 21, 2005
"The nation's top tester of products from dishwashers to cars is now weighing in on consumer health Web sites. Consumer Reports WebWatch, an arm of the Consumers Union publishing empire, has begun rating the 20 most-trafficked health information Web sites..." ...view
Online Travel: Smarter Search Options
PC World
June 21, 2005
"...Bill McGee, who is a travel consultant for Consumer Reports WebWatch, believes that the search-engine sites have the potential to revamp the online travel landscape..."
The Shady Side of Cyberworld Money
The Miami Herald
June 13, 2005
"...You didn't know that search engines take fees to list some results more prominently than others? Consumer Reports WebWatch found in April 2003 that 60 percent of Web veterans didn't know either..." ...view
Search Engines Ignore Ad Disclosure Recommendations
WebProNews.com
June 13, 2005
"...After a series of studies looking into search engines' paid inclusion and paid placement disclosure practices and a string of FTC recommendations, a follow-up study shows that little has been done..."
Online Ads Raise Ethics Questions
Contra Costa Times
June 10, 2005
"Even as more consumers rely on Internet search engines to help them navigate the Web, they are facing a tougher time figuring out if their search results are legitimate or paid advertisements, according to a study released Thursday..."
Paid-Search Credibility Comes Under Fire
eWeek
June 10, 2005
"When it comes to their advertising relationships, are the Web's top search engines disclosing enough information? Consumer advocates, search-engine marketers and representatives of the engines themselves debated that question during a Consumer Reports WebWatch conference held here on Thursday, and their answers varied widely..."
Study: Search Engines Still Fail to Disclose Ads
ClickZ
June 9, 2005
"Search engines continue to inadequately inform consumers about the influence that advertising dollars have on placement and rankings of search results, according to a report released today by Consumer Reports WebWatch..."
Airline Web Sites, Poised for Takeoff
The Washington Post
May 29, 2005
"...'On the one hand, it's clear that many airlines are trying to compete directly with third-party sites via their own branded Web sites,' said William J. McGee, a consultant on online travel for the nonprofit Consumer Reports WebWatch, who has conducted several studies of booking sites..."
Landing the Best e-Fares
Readers Digest
May 23, 2005
"...It's not unusual for a fare on the same flight to be priced differently at the major travel sites. Compare all three -- Orbitz.com, Expedia.com and Travelocity.com -- side by side, advises Bill McGee of Consumer Reports WebWatch..."
Many Airlines Offer Best Fares on Internet
Knight Ridder Newspapers via TheState.com
May 3, 2005
"...'The best deals by far are online,' said McGee, a travel consultant to WebWatch, dedicated to improving Web credibility. It is a division of Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports..." ...view
Consumer Reports Holding Forum on Search Ad Disclosure
SearchEngineWatch.com
May 2, 2005
"Trust or Consequence: How Failure to Disclose Ad Relationships Threatens to Burst the Search Bubble is the name of free one day conference being backed by Consumer Reports WebWatch on June 9 in Berkeley, California..." ...view
Book It
Travel & Leisure
May 1, 2005
"A study recently released by Consumer Reports' WebWatch tested 144 routes on 20 booking engines and found that European sites such as Travelprice.be often turn up lower fares than their U.S. counterparts..." ...view
Consumer Reports WebWatch: Search Engines Need a Good Mechanic
WebProNews
April 29, 2005
"...What is not so obvious is the relationship between Internet search engines and advertisers whose links are displayed, almost exclusively, at the top of the results page. In fact, according to Consumer Reports WebWatch, public disclosure of this relationship is almost nonexistent..." ...view
A Careful Eye Is Needed for Web Bargains
The Chicago Tribune
April 17, 2005
"...Consumer Reports WebWatch, a division of Consumers Union, also recommends that you check for a street address and phone number, calling to confirm that customer service exists..." ...view
Glitches in Booking First Class Online
The New York Times
April 10, 2005
"...A report issued last month by Consumer WebWatch, a division of Consumers Union, said that people who spent the most money on airline fares must at times overcome serious technology failures in their quest to book premium tickets. ..." ...view
Avoiding Potholes When Renting a Car
International Herald Tribune
April 9, 2005
"...Booking online, in particular, can be a minefield. Bill McGee of Consumer Reports WebWatch, a project run by the U.S.Consumers Union that monitors the online marketplace, advised that renters should 'click' all the way through the reservation pages to be sure they are seeing the final price, including all fees and taxes..." ...view
Surf the Friendly Web to Fly the Friendly Skies
Akron Beacon Journal
March 27, 2005
"...Bill McGee, who has completed extensive research of online travel sites, said airlines offer the best fares online because it's cheaper for the airlines..." ...view
Online Options: For the Best Travel Deals, Start with the Big Three, Then Shop Around
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
March 6, 2005
"...The No. 1 rule of online travel searches: 'You have to shop around,' says Bill McGee, online travel consultant to Consumer Reports WebWatch, which does quarterly investigations and head-to-head comparisons of Web sites. 'There is no one-stop shop, no silver bullet.'..." ...view
David Bear: Where Are All the Bargains When We Need Them?
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
March 6, 2005
"...Apparently, the situation is no better even if you don't mind paying top dollar. Last week, Consumer Reports WebWatch issued a report on the credibility of the online travel market, testers 'concluded that buying a first-class ticket online can be much more complicated than buying an economy-class ticket.'..." ...view
First-Class Ticket Buyers Get Second-Class Treatment Online
TechWeb
March 2, 2005
"...Among the problems found on Expedia, Orbitz and Travelocity ranged from fares that jumped in price suddenly to labeling business-class fares as first class, according to the study from Consumer Reports WebWatch..." ...view
Click Around to Find Best Travel Deal
Dallas Morning News
March 1, 2005
"...Research by Consumer Reports' WebWatch unit over the last four years shows no single travel site consistently offers the lowest price for airline tickets, hotel rooms or car rentals..." ...view
Online Auction Providers Grapple with Fraud
IDG News Service via PC World Australia
February 17, 2005
"...Beau Brendler, director of Consumer Reports WebWatch, says reputable online auction sites such as eBay are trying to do a lot to prevent and combat fraud, but there is only so much they can do within the reality of an auction environment, where the presiding principle generally is 'buyer beware.'..." ...view
Hertz Blames Web Options for a New Fee
The Washington Post
February 15, 2005
"...William McGee of Consumer Report's WebWatch called the Hertz fee a hidden rate increase. He said it should not be passed on to consumers -- it should be part of the company's distribution costs..." ...view
Surfing the Web; Sometimes, the Best Deals Are on Foreign Sites
The New York Times
February 6, 2005
"Travelers planning a trip abroad may want to consider visiting a foreign destination during the booking process, too: A study of 20 American and European travel Web sites found that European sites often turned up lower air fares than their counterparts in the United States..." ...view
Survey: Users Confuse Search Results, Ads
The Associated Press via BizReport.com
January 24, 2005
"...Consumer Reports WebWatch studied the top 15 search engines and found many of them could do better in disclosing sponsorships, particularly when they practice 'paid inclusion.'..." ...view
FBI Busts Man in Tsunami Aid Scam
MSNBC.com
January 13, 2005
"..'Every time people hear about this, and the same thing happened after 9/11, I'm concerned it may make people skeptical about using the Web to do good,' said Beau Brendler, director of Consumer Union's Consumer WebWatch..." ...view
Read the Fine Print Before Booking on Overseas Web Sites
Los Angeles Times
January 2, 2005
"...'Some [foreign sites] said, basically, there are ticketing rules against mailing a ticket to the U.S.,' said Bill McGee, author of a Consumer Reports WebWatch study of 20 travel sites in the U.S. and six European countries. (As electronic tickets become more common, that will be less of an issue.)..."
...view
Archive: 2004 Consumer Reports WebWatch Media Links
New Holiday Shopping Trends Emerge
IDG News Service
December 23, 2004
"Still, even online shoppers who consider themselves savvy and informed need to be aware that scams, fraud and bad service abound on the Internet, particularly during the holidays, according to Consumer Reports WebWatch, a project of Consumers Union, the publisher of the Consumer Reports magazine..." ...view
For Fare Deals, See Europe's Sites
The Wall Street Journal
December 7, 2004
"A host of small travel Web sites catering to individual European countries are proving adept at offering better prices on overseas flights than some of the big-name U.S. online travel agents."
(Paid subscription required) ...view
Better Deals for Americans Found on European Sites
The Associated Press
December 1, 2004
"A first-of-its-kind international investigation of cross-border shopping for online airfares led by Consumer Reports WebWatch reveals that European travel sites are much more adept at providing lower fares than U.S.-based sites" ...view
Rating Search Engine Disclosure Practices
SearchEngineWatch.com
November 24, 2004
“Which search engines are adequately disclosing their paid placement and paid inclusion practices? Which ones are failing to do so? A new report offers some surprising insights…” ...view
Search Engine Disclosure: Better, But Still Wanting
SearchEngineWatch.com
November 23, 2004
“How forthcoming are search engines in disclosing their paid placement and paid inclusion policies? They're better than they were a couple of years ago, but there's still room for improvement, according to a prominent watchdog group…” ...view
Belgian Site Offers Cheaper Fairs
The Guardian (UK)
November 20, 2004
“A little-known Belgian website offers consistently cheaper online airfares than its more famous British and American competitors, according to a report published this week…” ...view
The Dirty Little Secret About Search Engines
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch
November 19, 2004
“…The online quality monitor Consumer Reports WebWatch says in a new report this month most search engines do little to disclose how their results can be influenced for a fee and, in fact, actually rely on customer confusion to boost Web traffic to their advertisers’ sites….” ...view
Study: Who's Playing Fair with International Fares?
eWeek
November 12, 2004
”The three major U.S. online travel sites fare worse than their European counterparts in finding the cheapest international air fares, according to a study released Friday…” ...view
Study: Paid Search Disclosure Lacks Transparency
eWeek
November 12, 2004
”Two years after the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) called for "clear and conspicuous" disclosure in the paid search sector, a consumer advocacy group finds that some of the biggest names in the business still aren't clearly distinguishing between paid ads and legitimate search results…” ...view
Computer Q&A: Online Advertising Often Difficult to Spot
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
November 11, 2004
”In its latest study, Consumer Reports WebWatch tells us what we already know about Internet search engines -- that they display advertising within and around their search results…” ...view
Some Search Engines Let Advertisers Drive Results
Philadelphia Inquirer
November 10, 2004
”…That point is evident again in a new study of search engines by Consumer Reports WebWatch, which examined commercial encroachments - and disclosures offered as the antidote for them - at the 15 most-visited sites…”
(Free registration required) ...view
Search Ad Disclosures Need Work
DMNews
November 10, 2004
”Many search engines could do a better job of clearly disclosing which listings are advertising, according a new report…” ...view
Study: Search Engines Conceal Skewing by Advertisers
San Francisco Business Times
November 9, 2004
“Many popular web search engines do not disclose how advertisers can skew their results for a fee, a practice called "paid placement," and even fewer explain how companies pay to increase the likelihood their names will appear in searches, a practice called "paid inclusion," according to a new report from Consumers Union…” ...view
WebWatch Lives on
Philadelphia Inquirer
October 18, 2004
“ Philadelphia-based Pew Charitable Trusts and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation have agreed to give $500,000 each to continue the operations of Consumer Reports WebWatch, an online watchdog group and a project of the popular magazine Consumer Reports…”
(Free registration required) ...view
Site Inspection: ISO Best Fares
The Washington Post
October 3, 2004
”CoGo has long advised that there is no single place to find the cheapest airline ticket every time. So of course we were anxious to hear what Consumer Reports WebWatch would find …”
(Free registration required) ...view
Web Seller Didn't Bring Her Sister Flowers
Philadelphia Inquirer
August 18, 2004
”Though there's no single, foolproof route through this hazardous terrain, there are some other valuable tools. One is Consumer Reports WebWatch, a foundation-sponsored project of Consumers Union…”
(Free registration required) ...view
Hotlist: Malware and Adware
Houston Chronicle
May 25, 2004
“This grant-funded project of Consumers Union has current news on these nasty things and has a list of credible resources for any number of topics on the Web. It has useful guides for your cyberadventures as well…” ...view
Travel Site Savings
Channel FOX 59, WXIN Indianapolis
May 7, 2004
“Priceline.com and Hotwire.com promise big savings. Consumer Reports WebWatch checked to see if these sites live up to their promises…” ...view
Beware if Buying Drugs Online
The Post-Standard
April 21, 2004
”It's no surprise that with the high cost of prescription drugs these days, many people are going online in hopes of finding a better deal…” ...view
Find the Cheapest Ways to Travel
The News Journal
March 10, 2004
“Consumers who booked hotels online may have missed out on the best deals, according to a recent study by Consumer Reports WebWatch…” ...view
Traveling 'Blind' May Be Cheap, But It Comes With Other Costs
Star-Telegram
January 12, 2004
“Consumer Reports WebWatch compared two industry leaders in opaque travel, Hotwire and Priceline, and found that using such Web sites is complicated and that the consumer may not even get the lowest Web site cost available…”
(Free registration required) ...view
Consumers Union Solves the Mystery: What Online Site Is Cheaper?
Frommers
January 9, 2004
“Priceline claims to often have the cheapest airfares and hotels, but the truth in their claim is difficult to figure out. Unlike Hotwire, Expedia and other online travel agencies, Priceline doesn't make their prices publicly available. Their true value has remained shrouded in mystery -- until now…” ...view
The Art of the Deal
PC World
January 1, 2004
”Consumer Reports WebWatch is a watchdog organization run by the same folks who publish Consumer Reports…” ...view
Archive: 2003 Consumer Reports WebWatch Media Links
To Save Money Costs You Amenities
The Boston Globe
December 21, 2003
“How do they do it? How do travel providers such as Go-today.com, VirginVacations.com, EuroVacations.com, and Octopus.com offer such incredibly low prices, usually over the Internet, for air and hotel packages to Europe and Asia?..” ...view
Consumer Reports Investigates 'Opaque' Travel Websites
NY1
December 16, 2003
“It's a travel tradeoff - a deal in exchange for a lack of details. But is it worth it? To find out, Consumer Reports WebWatch, an affiliate of Consumer Reports, spent a year and $38,000 comparing three open travel sites to two so-called "opaque" travel sites…” ...view
For best car rental rates, look to full-service online travel sites
Star-Telegram
November 10, 2003
“As the holidays approach and family visits loom, so rises the likelihood that we'll need to rent a car for ourselves or visiting family members. A new study by Consumer Reports WebWatch, an online project of Consumers Union, has found…”
(Free registration required) ...view
Web Searches: The Fix Is In
Business Week
October 6, 2003
“They're called spiders. Scores of these digital robots crawl through cyberspace, scouring the billions of pages in the World Wide Web. They catalog all the words in the pages, how many times they're viewed, and which other pages they link to…” ...view
Study: Paid Listings Still Confuse Web Searchers
PC World
August 22, 2003
”Web searchers are losing the game of ‘Spot the Ads,’ say Web-watchers. Surfers with as many as nine years of searching experience can't always distinguish the paid listings from the free ones in their results on Google, Yahoo, MSN, and other search sites, according to a recent study by Consumer Reports WebWatch, a service of Consumers Union…” ...view
Best Free Stuff on the Web [Fourth Item]
PC World
August 1, 2003
”Can you trust the Web? The answer is often no. Consumer Reports WebWatch wants to change that…” ...view
Dancing With the Google Devil
Editor & Publisher
July 11, 2003
“Google's announcement of AdSense, a new program that enables publishers to serve text-based Google AdWords ads on their sites, is positioned as a grand opportunity for publishers to share in revenue generated by these ads. Instead it ought to send shivers down the spine of every publisher who counts on classifieds for income…” ...view
Prioritize and Rationalize Search Engine Marketing
ClickZ
July 11, 2003
“When searchers discover many search engine results are actually paid listings and paid inclusion, they become distrustful and take a negative view of search. So found a recent Consumer Reports WebWatch study…” ...view
Consumers Surprised by Paid Search Practices, Study Says
Internet Retailer
July 2, 2003
“Consumer Reports WebWatch, affiliated with the non-profit Consumers Union, publishers of Consumer Reports Magazine, has released findings from a consumer study in which participants demonstrated surprise and some confusion over paid listings on web search engines…” ...view
Report: Search Needs Better Labeling
ClickZ
July 1, 2003
"An in-depth study of people unaware how pay-for-placement search found that they are surprised, and often negative, when they find out how paid listings work…” ...view
Consumers Union Says People Are Unaware of Paid Search Engine Listings
Direct Marketing Business Intelligence
July 1, 2003
“A study by Consumers Union revealed that a focus group of Web surfers were surprised to discover that some search engine recommendations are made on the basis of paid positioning…” ...view
Study: Paid Search Fools Consumers
CBS MarketWatch
July 1, 2003
“A majority of Internet users are unaware that some results from search engines include advertisers' links, according to research by Consumer Reports WebWatch, funded by the publishers of Consumer Reports magazine…”
(Free registration required) ...view
Survey Ranks Travel Web Sites
Star-Telegram
May 12, 2003
“Economic worries, fear of SARS and the uncertainty of Iraq will keep more Americans staying closer to home this summer and spending less on their vacations, according to a recent travel survey…”
(Free registration required) ...view
Intrusive Ads on the Way Out
ClickZ
May 5, 2003
”…On April 24, I was pleased to attend Consumer Reports WebWatch's first Web credibility summit, "Building Trust on the Web" in New York City. Experts and heavy-hitters from all over the Web world converged to discuss the Web's growing credibility problem…” ...view
Pay-for-placement, uno sconosciuto per molti utenti (Italian)
i-Dome.com
April 7, 2003
“I sistemi pay-for-placement utilizzati dai motori di riceca sono spesso poco conosciuti dagli utenti Internet, che si servono di tali strumenti per individuare il sito migliore per ottenere informazioni, prodotti o servizi utili…” ...view
Expedia, Travelocity Get Top Consumer Marks
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Cox News Service
March 15, 2003
”Expedia and Travelocity are the best sites for booking airline tickets online, with Orbitz running close behind, according to the latest evaluation by ConsumerReports.org and Consumer Reports Web Watch…” ...view
Guide to Online Health Information: Look for Sites' Credentials, Commercial Motives
CBS MarketWatch
March 13, 2003
“When Jennifer Lawler's daughter was born with a rare genetic disorder five years ago, her first question to her doctor was whether her baby would live. She quickly took many follow-up questions to the Internet and still does…”
(Free registration required) ...view
Should I Trust What I Read Online?
The AP via Augusta Chronicle
January 19, 2003
”Q. Should I trust what I read online?
”A. The Internet has a wealth of information. It also has a wealth of misinformation. So caution is indeed a wise strategy…” ...view
Archive: 2002 Consumer Reports WebWatch Media Links
Bargain Hunters Beware. Comparison Shopping Sites Can Be Helpful -- or Misleading
San Francisco Chronicle
November 25, 2002
“It's no secret that consumers can find lower prices by shopping on the Web. But with so many online retailers around, how does one find the best price possible? And does that price come at a cost, such as lousy customer service or late deliveries?...” ...view
So How Credible Is the Web?
India portal rediff.com
November 11, 2002
“…Consumers International (a global federation of more than 250 consumer organisations in 115 countries) and the United States-based Consumer Reports WebWatch conducted separate studies, which establish what many of us have always suspected - that information on the Net should be viewed with care and relied upon only after some basic checking…” ...view
Study: Net Credibility Gap Gapes
Wired
November 5, 2002
”A prominent consumer advocacy group says most informational websites don't do enough to assure visitors that their data is credible -- or make clear their ulterior motives for offering that data…” ...view
Study: For Site Cred, Looks Matter
ClickZ
October 31, 2002
“When consumers assess a Web site's credibility, looks tend to sway their judgment more than information quality, according to research by Stanford University…” ...view
Consumers Pick Style Over Substance on Health Sites
The Wall Street Journal
October 29, 2002
”Consumers tend to rely on style over substance when choosing where they get health information on the Web…” ...view
Straight Talking
Entreprenuer.com
October 1, 2002
“Many e-tailers have managed to attract and keep customers, despite a recent study's finding that consumer trust in e-commerce Web sites is alarmingly low. The study from Consumer Reports WebWatch-a project of Consumers Union-aimed to better the credibility of online content…” ...view
Consumer Group Examines Web Credibility
Editor & Publisher
April 16, 2002
”Online journalists spend a lot of time fretting over issues of church and state, but what about consumers? Do they really care? A new study from Consumers Union suggests that the public is concerned about the questions that news Web sites often agonize over…” ...view
Consumers Union plans to put its ratings system of Web sites and merchants on the Web
The New York Times
April 15, 2002
“Consumers Union, the big consumer advocacy group, plans to introduce a new division tomorrow that is meant to bolster the credibility of Internet merchants…”
(Free registration required) ...view
Archive: 2001 Consumer Reports WebWatch Media Links
Web Credibility Project Planned
InternetNews.com
June 21, 2001
“Consumers Union, the non-profit publisher of "Consumer Reports" magazine, is planning a project to report on the credibility of Web sites, including e-commerce operations." ...view
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