Harry Gross: Careful of revealing too much on the Web

Dear Harry: This recession almost ruined me. I lost a job that I worked in for 32 years, advancing each year. Since then, I have worked at far less-skilled jobs (four of them) and earned about 70 percent of my last decent salary. We have stopped our IRA contributions, and the present job has few benefits. The result is that we are looking for every way we can to save a buck here and there. Fortunately, we have only one child left as a dependent, and our home is free and clear. Until recently, we have never taken the time to cut coupons from the Sunday newspaper. We are doing it now and saving enough for a hoagie now and then. Today, a friend told us she gets great coupons from the Internet. She gave us a couple of sites to visit, but they want too much personal info for my comfort. Are they OK?

What Harry says: Some are; some aren't. I am very careful about giving anyone the kind of information some of the Internet sites ask for. However, there are places to go where there is little or no information given except for your email address. Stick to those. The Internet is a powerful tool that is often subverted to do you harm. There are many offers of discounts that are just plain scams that make offers that are too good to be true in an effort to take advantage of innate personal greed.

Write Harry Gross c/o the Daily News, 400 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19130. Harry urges all his readers to give blood - contact the American Red Cross at 800-Red Cross.