But if you are handed something from a friend or emailed an image or PDF then its most likely is fake. Now there is actually more to this story than just what happened to my friend.
These are the very same coupons.
How to tell if a coupon is fake. It Flat-Out Looks Fake. Things to look for include a missing bar code text font that doesnt match the rest of the coupon and a design that simply looks like it was homemade by an amateur Photoshop user. 98 times out of 100 the coupon is gonna be fake if you see any of these things.
If it is too good to be true Flag. One coupon like this per magazine or per newspaper is most likely real. If you get multiple papers sure its real you got them in a paper and purchased multiple papers.
But if you are handed something from a friend or emailed an image or PDF then its most likely is fake. If there are multiple copies of the same coupon on a single page it is fake. The coupons being emailed have 6 copies to one page.
At no time EVER has a manufacturer placed 6 copies of the same coupon on a single piece of paper. They are not out to help give you 6 coupons and ensure that you save paper when printing them. Multiple coupons on a single page is another big flag that the coupon.
If the coupon is sent via email its important to verify the source. Scammers can make the source of a fake email look legitimate but if you hover your mouse over the link in the email you can see the real destination on the lower left corner of your email screen. And if the destination of the link looks a little wonky dont click on it.
You can tell if a coupon has been scanned or copied then uploaded to a web site by visiting the manufacturers web site. If that site doesnt have printable coupons its likely the original coupon is fraudulent. These are easy to spot as theyre usually printed on thin cheap computer paper and look faded.
The fake coupons can seize your personal information financial details infect your system with multiple viruses and in worst case scenarios holds. Assume all Facebook coupons are scams. So be skeptical and be careful when you see a coupon being shared on social media.
The biggest thing is to not let your excitement take over. So be calm and allow your brain make the decision. Think about whether the 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. If you do see the coupon itself it may be a fake coupon 4 Ways stores spot fake coupons Counterfeit training and technology is constantly evolving.
But these are some common ways stores train employees and managers to spot counterfeit coupons. Coupon has been visibly altered. And you might be able to spot a phony or doctored coupon by checking the supposed value of the coupon with its barcode – the 10th and 11th digits should match the value.
More Coupon Scams As if all this wasnt bad enough there are several other sinister sides to the coupon scam business aimed at consumers and would-be home workers. Real coupons are packed with fine print but fake coupons skimp on the details. A legitimate coupon will usually list.
A legitimate coupon will usually list. An expiration date which should be found on almost all coupons although some scams will list an incorrect date like June 31. Shoppers can tell if a coupon is real or not by taking a closer look at the details.
If almost all of the text included on the coupon is written in one font and a small portion of text features a different font the coupon was probably altered. Take a closer look at the spacing too. If you ever suspect that you may have a fraudulent coupon there is a way it can be verified.
Go to the Coupon Resource Center website and there you can enter a code from the coupon to find out if it is a legitimate coupon or a fake. Now there is actually more to this story than just what happened to my friend. Apparently these free Quilted Northern coupons are all over and have even been used on TLCs Extreme Couponing show.
These are the very same coupons. These tips come from the couponing experts and will help you recognize false coupons that you may witness on the web. Resist your common sense while dealing with irresistible offers Check whether coupons are on a free item Issued coupons without mentioning expiration date Coupons are not associated with the official site.
Many fake coupons photo-shop away the name and contact information of the company making the offer. Most responsible coupon users and those who post coupons online to help others would want to know if a coupon was fake. Couponers can help protect this invaluable way of saving money by being alert and by helping curtail the distribution and use of fake coupons.
For example if you find a printable coupon for Ziploc bags but the coupon is not hosted on Ziplocs website or Facebook page or a reputable coupon site such as Save or Websaver you need to be wary of that coupon. The coupon is too good to be true As the old saying goes if its too good to be true then it probably is. There are three easy ways to spot this offer is fake.
First up the spelling and grammar mistakes. Place a white piece of paper on a flat surface and draw a small dot with a pen. Lay the stone onto the dot with the flat side down.
Through the pointed end of the diamond look down onto the paper. If you see a circular reflection inside the gemstone the stone is fake.