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I hope you are with me when I say that coupons are awesome! They are a vital part of how I stick to my weekly budget and keep costs down. Unfortunately, like many good things, there are folks out there who take advantage of a great system and it can mess things up for all of us.
Fraudulent coupons are a huge issue and they are likely why you get questions or funny looks from cashiers and managers from time to time – even if you are using coupons properly.
A Southern Savers reader and cashier shared on Facebook that someone tried to use an $8 off Huggies coupon in her line. When questioned about the source of the coupon, the shopper yelled at her and demanded that she take it.
If you’ve been couponing for a while, you probably know that $8 Huggies coupons don’t really exist. Maybe if you had a complaint or issue with diapers and the company mailed you a coupon, but more than likely it will have holograms and all sorts of other fraud protection features on it if that were the case… it’s most certainly not printable.
How can I check out a specific coupon?
Head to the Coupon Information Center website, who maintains a running list of known fraudulent coupons. Turns out, the $8 Huggies coupon is on that list!
What are some red flags?
I want us all to be informed on how to use coupons properly and how to spot fraudulent coupons, so here are some tips and resources you can use. Before I post a new coupon, you can be sure I research the source.
Here are some things that should get your fraudulent coupon radar going:
- It sounds too good to be true (very high value)
- It’s for a completely free product (Free Tide, free Olive Oil)
- It’s a PDF and not hosted directly on the manufacturer’s site
- It was forwarded to you as an email attachment from a friend
Where can I find legitimate coupons?
If you print a coupon from Coupons.com, Smartsource, CouponNetwork, RedPlum, or links from the coupon database, you can be sure that what you have is a valid coupon. However, you may notice a coupon on the fraud list that looks like a valid printable. If someone mass copies a printable coupon – it will show up on the fraudulent list. Always be sure to print your two from a legitimate source and never copy a coupon.
