Topcashback

simonB

I cannot say if TCB is legit or not, but the way their system works is leaving you open to security issues.

Basically, without going into technical details, you should ALWAYS follow some simple rules when buying on the internet.

If you are going to a site where you will enter Username, Password, Payment Security Details ... you should ALWAYS open a new browser and type the URL into the address bar.
NEVER link to such a site via anyone else's site.

TCB force you to enter online shops via their own website.
NOT a good move on your part.

Any link can be, or become infected.
Your subsequently entered username/password for the shopping site, paypal validation etc etc ... can be had by 3rd parties.

Maybe rare, but it is a technical possibility, and it HAS happened.

Big companies, should go out of their way to protect you form this, and if they don't, it just shows you that they really dont care about your security and likley hold any persoal information about you behind the scenes with as much disregard.

Sure, you are all thinking I'm paranoid ... because your eyes are too fixed on the £s !
The more you use insecure systems like this, the more of them will appear.
Just because a company's name is BIG, doesn't mean they are safe either ... just open a newspaper now and then to see that one for yourself.

In addition, I tried to find a postal addresss for TCB on their site. I stand to be corrected, but I could not find one.
If someone doesn't have the openess to give you a postal address easily, ask yourself why, and ask yourself what you are going to do if/when something goes wrong !?

A legitimate AND responsible company will give you a clear postal address.

Further, to contact TCB to ask a question, you HAVE to become a member. Again, I see that as a trick, maybe a minor one, but it speaks volumes to me about what kind of company they are, and how helpful they would be if I needed help !


Up to you ... but you the public have a right to vote for what kind of services you want in the future.... you vote with your feet.
... erm, fingers.

JDPower

Wow. And you still have your computer connected to the internet!

Lynsey

Are you serious??

simonB wrote: »

TCB force you to enter online shops via their own website.
NOT a good move on your part.

If you didn't go this way via an affiliate network, then it couldn't and wouldn't track and you would never get paid the cashback!!

simonB wrote: »

Sure, you are all thinking I'm paranoid ...

Sadly simonB, but that's the only part of your post I can possibly agree with!!

I've used various cashbacks sites over many, many years and that's how they work. Never had a problem like you suggest in those years.

Lynsey

simonB

Yes I do, and I shop on it all the time.
More, I make my living from it.
I programme it.

I am not saying you can't breath for goodness sake.
I'm just saying, use your eyes and don't give into blind faith jus tbecause the £ signs are flashed.

I was trying to be helpful and constructive.. maybe sarcasm was not the most constructive response ?

simonB

Lynsey wrote: »

If you didn't go this way via an affiliate network, then it couldn't and wouldn't track and you would never get paid the cashback!!

Lynsey

Lynsey,
There are plenty of ways this would work better.
Even if there weren't ... would you drive to work with no brakes on your car because otherwise you'd be late ?

I guess you will never see the threat of your account(s) being hacked until it happens to you personally.

Unfortunately by then, it's a little too late.

JDPower

simonB wrote: »

Yes I do, and I shop on it all the time.
More, I make my living from it.
I programme it.

I am not saying you can't breath for goodness sake.
I'm just saying, use your eyes and don't give into blind faith jus tbecause the £ signs are flashed.

But that's just you making presumptions, and making those presumptions because you programme (sic) and therefore know more than any of us lesser brained penny pinchers. You can be a money saver and intelligent and web savvy too.

But then I suspect you are getting exactly the response you planned, why else sign up solely to post such baseless innuendo and insinuation.

simonB

I signed up because a friend asked me if they thought they should use TCB.
I did some research and that included looking through forums for feedback and reviews.
I was to be honest, a bit shocked at threads such as this one, where so much faith is placed in 'trust' and some long standing warning signs are overlooked.

That is not a critisicsm on 'you', I am not trying to put anyone here down, so please do not insunuate that such as thing was my intent.
I wrote orignally to help; but I have to say I am again shocked at how hostile and venemous the responses have been.
Why on earth do you have to be quite so horrible when some offers a view ?
The original op was, after all, asking for opinions.
What have I done wrong ?

simonB

JDPower wrote: »

baseless innuendo and insinuation.

It is not baseless to point out that links can be infected.

It is not baseless to say that governmental advice and plenty of other consumer advisors will always tell you to get an full postal address.
The reasons are obvious, but I will explain if you require it.

Lynsey

simonB, my response was not meant to be hostile in any way.
Please research into how cashback sites work via an affiliate network and it may well help you understand the cashback industry.

Basisc are:
You have to be signed in to your chosen cashback site (TCB, Quidco, Fatcheese etc) for the link/cookie to be connected to your account via the affiliate network through to the merchant - that's the basics.
By missing out going via the cashback site, or by not signing in first, then no cashback can be paid as it will NOT be attributed to you as a member.

Cashback sites are "legit" and have been for years now.

Lynsey

simonB

Lynsey,
Thank you.

I am aware how these sites work.
I am just saying that such a system is open to a security flaw.
Just because an industry works a certain way, does not make it right, or safe.

Unfortunately anyone can set up a business these days, and an internet business a that.
It does not necessarily follow that they do it with the best security or with the safest methods.

For example, I have taken a dozen of my friend's email addresses, and within minutes I now know which of them have accounts with TCB and which not.
Now I know that they have accounts, I 'could' start phishing them for their passwords, if I was of that mind.
A decently secured site, would not even allow me to know who does and who does not have an account with them.
This is a simple test I do ... I would not expect everyone to know this trick.

Even if we put that technicality to one side, the fact they do not publish a postal address, is one of 'the' issues that would put 'me' off using them.
I see the abense of such a standard detail 'suspicious' at worste, and 'unhelpful' in the least.
What happens when something goes wrong ?
Who will you write to? Who will you tell the Consumer Advice organisations to go chase ?

I know you will not be converted here ... but if I can instill just 1 thing to think about.
Get somone's postal address before doing business with them.
I'm going now .... other things to do.


Good luck.

Lynsey

simonB wrote: »

Get somone's postal address before doing business with them.
I'm going now .... other things to do.


Good luck.

Lion Buildings
Market Place
Uttoxeter
Staffordshire
ST14 8HP
United Kingdom

Tel. No's. if wanted.


Hope that allays some fears at least.

Other things to do myself and good luck also.

Lynsey