Beware when signing up for online realty services
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
The Times David Lazarus’ column, ‘Real estate company’s pitch leads to unexpected bill,’ may strike a chord with some readers. Here’s an excerpt:
Maria Casanova, an assistant professor of economics at UCLA, toyed with the idea earlier this year of buying a foreclosed property near the Westwood campus. She signed up for a prominent listing service called RealtyTrac. Casanova, 31, canceled her subscription not long after. Yet a few days ago she discovered that some other real estate company she’d never heard of has been billing her almost $45 a month for the last eight months. Consumer advocates say it’s an all-too-common problem: People signing up for one thing online and inadvertently signing up for something else that comes with recurring monthly charges.
It’s worth a read in its entirety as a cautionary tale. (And Casanova is chagrined for not having noticed the charges sooner, in case you are wondering.) Has this happened to you? Personally I’m too paranoid to sign up for any paid services online, though I will do a little shopping.
-- Lauren Beale
Thoughts? Comments?
[Update: Here’s a video of David Lazarus on the subject.]
