Dunkin' Donuts claims that an e-mail from a Florida firm promising a free $25 gift card in return for a completed survey is a scam.
It also appears the company being accused doesn't want to be contacted.
“A fraudulent e-mail message promising a free $25 Dunkin' Donuts gift card is being forwarded around the Internet,” said a warning last month on DunkinDonuts.com. “Dunkin' Donuts is not affiliated with these offers, does not sponsor nor endorse this activity and is unable to fulfill these offers. We apologize if you have received such an e-mail with this fraudulent offer.”
Dunkin' Donuts says Boynton Beach, FL-based USA Research Forums is behind the bogus gift card offers and that it's sent the online lead-generation company a cease-and-desist letter.
“We have taken the appropriate legal actions to ensure that this company does not send out e-mails like this in the future,” Dunkin' Donuts said in a statement.
The Canton, MA coffee and doughnut chain became aware of the bogus promotion after receiving an e-mail complaint from a consumer, according to company spokesman Andrew Mastrangelo, who declined to provide a copy of the e-mail offer.
Directory assistance was unable to locate a phone number for USA Research Forums. A search of the WhoIs database revealed that whoever registered the USAResearchForums.com domain supplied 123-555-1551 as a contact telephone number, indicating its executives didn't want phone calls.
The company is billed on its Web site as the Internet's “fastest growing rewards program,” offering deals from well-known brands such as Apple, Crest, Dyson, Pampers and Sharp. “Our strategy is to target serious customers and match their interests with the most relevant and appropriate offers for active and profitable results — so you and your user base get off to a great start in building your relationship.”
USA Research Forums did not respond to a request for comment by deadline.
