Elder Law Tips: How to Spot a Fake Coupon

How to Spot a Fake Coupon

If you frequent the internet, odds are you’ve probably seen a coupon that seems too good to be true. And, hopefully, if you clicked on it you didn’t get a virus, worm or worse.  These days consumers need to be savvy in order to stay ahead of criminals.

Here are some tips to help you spot counterfeit coupons.

It lacks Common Sense

Let’s face it, stores exist to make money.  If you see a coupon for 50% off of your entire purchase without exclusions or limitations at your favorite big box store, you’ve got a 99% chance that it’s fake. Retailers aren’t in the habit of giving money away.  If it seems too good to be true, it’s most likely a fake coupon.

It doesn’t link back to the company’s website

If you click on a coupon that you find online, it should take you to the company’s website or to a legitimate coupon site.  If it doesn’t and you end up at an unrelated site or a survey site, you can be assured that it’s a fake coupon and you should get off the site quickly.

It has no expiration date or a fake expiration date

Retailers don’t issue coupons that lack an expiration date.  If a coupon you find doesn’t have one, you can bet it’s not legit.  Also, check the dates of expiration, a coupon that expires on November 31, or February 30, is in all likelihood fake.

It costs money to get the coupon

If it costs money to get the coupon, you can be pretty sure that the coupon isn’t legit.  Sometimes you’ll find scams like this on eBay.

It’s a coupon for a free product

Retailers will sometimes offer a free product if it’s a new item.  Most times these legitimate offers will be for a trial size of the product, to get you to try it. If a company wants you to fill out a form, and include credit card information, with the promise of you receiving the product in a few weeks, avoid it. Not only will you never receive the product, they now have your credit card information.

Be shopper savvy!

In this day and age, you really need to be a smart shopper. Remember the old adage, “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.”  If you find yourself still questioning a coupons validity, check the CIC website via the link below.  The Coupon Information Center keeps a list of fraudulent coupons that are in circulation.  They do their best to keep the information up to date, but typically have coupons that have been around for a while.  It’s a great place to see what types of fake coupons are out there so that you’ll be better off spotting fakes in the future.

http://www.couponinformationcenter.com/psa-list.php

 

Sources

http://consumerist.com/

http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/

http://consumer.georgia.gov/

The information found on the Gerstenberger Law site is for educational purposes only.  Your situation and the situation of others is unique and more complex.  This is neither legal advice nor to be considered legal advice.  Contact us for advice about your specific situation

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