Couponing is a great way to save money, but the world of online and printable coupons is also filled with a huge number of scams. These scams are designed to steal your personal information, to commit fraud, or to infect your computer with a virus. The Coupon Information Corporation (CIC) is a watchdog group that is dedicated to fighting these scams. They have identified a number of common red flags that can help you to spot a fake coupon. Here are eight of the most common coupon scams.
1. The Fake “Print at Home” Coupon
This is one of the most common types of scams. A scammer will create a very realistic-looking but completely fake “Print at Home” manufacturer coupon. They will then share this fake image on social media or in online forums. These fake coupons are often for a very high-value discount on a popular, name-brand product. Using one of these, even accidentally, is a form of coupon fraud.
2. The Social Media “Giveaway” Scam
You see a post on Facebook that says a major grocery store, like a Kroger or a Publix, is giving away a free $100 gift card to everyone who shares the post. This is always a scam. The store is not actually involved. The post is a form of “like-farming.” It is designed to collect a huge number of likes and shares. The page can then be used to spread other scams or to sell for a profit.
3. The “Coupon Glitch” Group
A “coupon glitch” is when a store’s system is not working correctly. It might be accepting a coupon for the wrong item or for a much larger discount than was intended. There are a number of secret online groups where people will share these glitches. Intentionally exploiting these errors is an unethical and fraudulent act that can get you banned from the store.
4. Counterfeit Coupon Databases
There are a number of shadowy websites that act as a database for counterfeit coupons. These sites will often charge a fee for access to their “secret” collection of fake, high-value coupons. Using one of these services is a clear and intentional act of fraud that can lead to serious legal consequences if you are caught.
5. The Phishing Email Disguised as a Free Offer
You get an email that looks like it is from a major brand. It offers you a coupon for a free, high-value product. All you have to do is click a link and enter some of your personal information. This is a classic “phishing” scam. The link will take you to a fake website with the intent to steal your name, your address, and your credit card information.
6. The “Buy a Coupon” Scam
It is illegal to sell a coupon. A coupon is a marketing tool that has no cash value. Any person or website that is trying to sell you a coupon, or a whole book of coupons, is running a scam. You should never pay for a coupon. All legitimate coupons are distributed by the manufacturer or the store for free.
7. The “Free Item” Coupon with No Other Purchase
You should be very skeptical of any coupon that offers a completely free, high-value item with no other purchase required. While these do exist, they are very rare. In most cases, a coupon for a “free” item will require you to buy another product to get the deal. A coupon for a totally free item is a major red flag that it might be a counterfeit.
8. The Photocopied Barcode
A legitimate “Print at Home” coupon will have a unique serial number and a barcode that you can only use once. A common scam is to simply photocopy a legitimate coupon and try to use it multiple times. A store’s modern checkout system will almost always be able to detect that the coupon’s code has already been used, and it will reject the photocopy.
The Savvy Saver’s Defense
The world of couponing is a fantastic way to save money. However, it is also a world that is filled with a number of potential traps and scams. The best way to protect yourself is to be a skeptical and informed consumer. You should only get your coupons from trusted sources, like the manufacturer’s own website or your store’s digital app. A deal that seems too good to be true is almost always a scam.
Have you ever encountered a fake coupon or a coupon scam? What are your best tips for spotting a fraudulent offer? Let us know in the comments!
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The post The 8 Most Common Grocery Store Coupon Scams appeared first on Grocery Coupon Guide.
