Coupon Fraud Facts

Q: What is coupon fraud?

A: It’s using a coupon in ANY other way than it’s intended use.

Some examples of coupon fraud are:

Using a coupon that specifies a certain size on a different size:
EX: Buying 26oz. Cheer and using a coupon valid only on 50oz. size
EX: Buying a 6-pack of Coke and using a coupon that specifies a 12-pack

Using a coupon intended for a specific variety on a different variety from the same brand:
EX: Buying Campbell’s Tomato Soup or Chicken Noodle and using a coupon that excludes these two varieties
EX: Buying regular Lay’s Chips but using a coupon valid only on the Baked Lay’s

Using a coupon that specifies a certain number of items , on a lesser amount of items.
EX: Buying ONE box of crackers but using a coupon for $1/2 boxes.
EX: Buying TWO cans of soup and using a coupon for $1/3 cans.

Using a coupon designated for one brand on a different brand manufactured by the same company.
EX: Buying Tide Detergent but using a coupon for Bounce.
This practice is called “coding” and it is illegal! Beware of any coupon class facilitator or blogger that promotes this practice.

Using Expired Coupons
Unless the store’s coupon policy permits.

Photocopying Coupons
The number of times you are able to print a coupon is determined by limits set in the manufacturer’s marketing campaign. This limit is usually two per computer or IP address. Each coupon that you print (unless a PDF) has a unique serial number printed on the front of the coupon for tracking purposes.  Making copies of coupons is illegal!

Using your computer to capture coupons from websites to print limitlessly or for your convenience.
Sometimes called “snipping”. We mainly see this with PDF files.

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