Senators Bash Online Marketing Tactics

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller (D-WV) said Tuesday that he may pursue legislation to crack down on some controversial online marketing tactics that result in consumers paying for products and services they did not realize they signed up for or used. During a hearing on these aggressive online marketing methods, Rockefeller detailed the results of a committee investigation into the marketing tactics of three firms: Affinion, Vertrue and Webloyalty. "Tricking consumers into buying goods and services they do not want ... It's not ethical. It's not right and it's not the way business should be done," Rockefeller said. The problematic transactions, detailed in a committee report, take place when a consumer is ready to finish buying a good or service online from a trusted retailer. Consumers are asked if they want a discount or reward and if they agree, they are often automatically signed up for the services offered by the three firms and charged a monthly fee.