Tips On How To Spot Counterfeits / Fakes

[YouPdWhat]

Below Are Some Basic Guidelines To Alert You To A Possible Counterfeit Or Fake Coupon. Should you come across a coupon with any of these warning signs be sure to check other areas of the coupon carefully. Remember, When In Doubt Check It Out!


(1). If a coupon in JPG, JPEG, GIF & especially PDF / electronic format has been sent to you by someone other than a manufacturer or you have found it posted on a website, has been photocopied or if it is not one that you have printed directly from the manfacturer's website yourself, the easiest way to check its legitimacy is to check the manufacturer’s website. If they presently do not have an online coupon for you to print, then chances are the coupon has been scanned & is a fake.

(2). This should be obvious to all but, gets overlooked by some.

If an internet coupon is posted somewhere on the net (let's say a pbwiki site, for instance) in jpg format then it should not be used. This is not my opinion but, a fact. Most companies just don't send out jpg files like that. If you have to take a coupon and fool with it in order to post it then perhaps the company didn't mean for it to be posted.

If you choose to use one of these coupons know that it has probably been altered in the course of manipulating it. The expiration date you see is most likely not the original expiraton date especially if the coupon is good for 13 months. Don't be surprised if you get called out for trying it at the store.

(3). Look for long, unusual or " NO " expiration dates

(4). Coupon may not scan at the register ( We all know from experience this is not always the case. However, if there are other warning signs, check it out )

(5). Sometimes the pictures on the coupon will have varying degrees of fuzziness

(6). A common problem is that words will be misspelled ( Not in all cases )

(7). Coupons printed on photocopy paper, plain white paper or card stock ( Using this type of paper is not uncommon when printing a coupon from a manf. site on a home or work printer. )

(8). Coupons printed on only one side ( Note: When printing a legit coupon from a manf. site it will only print on one side )

(9). Multiple coupons for the same product with the identical PIN numbers or consumer names ( Usually a manf. site will only allow 2 of the same coupon to be printed )

(10). Internet Coupons missing security features

(11). A photocopied coupon is relatively easy to spot. Generally they are copied on thin computer / copier paper and may have a faded appearance

(12). Does it offer a really high discount? (ex: $5 off a product that costs less than $10)







There are other factors to be aware of when it comes to spotting fakes. Remember, not all counterfeit / fake coupons will have all the above listed discrepancies, some will have more than others. If you are not sure about the coupon contact the manufacturer directly.

[kristen.c]

This is great information- thanks for posting it as a great reminder for us all!