The Purposes Behind Coupon Scams

Answer 1

Coupon scams have become a growing problem throughout the world. As a result, it has become harder for couponers to get stores to accept coupons they have printed from legitimate online sources. Some couponers are even less inclined to try to get online coupons because they are afraid of getting scammed themselves. These scams run the gamut from Pizza coupons to feminine products coupons, so there is no way to narrow down certain coupons as always being legitimate. However, understanding the purposes behind coupon scams can help you to protect yourself better.

Identity Theft

A huge segment of coupon scams revolve around getting the shopper's identity. It is a subtler form of identity theft because most consumers are not aware that they might be targeted in this way. Most of the time, these will be the deals that require that you pay something, or they will offer you membership at a coupon site for a low fee in exchange for personal information. Be very wary of any transactions that require you to give them money. You should never purchase coupons. In many cases, that results in an invalidation of the coupon itself. Additionally, even a membership site that promises coupons should not require that you give your social security number or your bank account information even if they're going to give you great opportunities for feminine products coupons.

Advertising Research

Advertising experts are not always the most ethical people. They have to make sure that you opt into their lists, and telemarketers cannot call unless you agree to let them call. That's where one of the other common coupon scams come in. It is typically the pop up ad that promises that you've won a new iPad or that you're eligible for a booklet of valuable discounts that include everything from perfume to feminine products coupons. They tempt you with the offer, and then they tell you that you have to complete certain offers to get the coupon booklet, the iPad, or whatever else they are promising. In the process of doing this, you will click on a number of terms and agreements. Some of these will include statements that they can sell your contact information to advertising agencies.

Fast Cash

Some scams are just about turning a fast buck. These are the coupon scams that you'll find on eBay and penny auction sites. It's illegal to sell coupons. eBay tries to prevent these sales, but with millions of items going up each and every day, they don't catch everything. Most people don't realize that it's illegal to buy or sell coupons, so they assume that it's legitimate. Most of the time, these scammers set up numerous auctions at a time. The general price ranges from $5 to $25 with promised savings in the hundreds or thousands. Most of the time, you'll never see the coupon booklet, and if you do, it will be a fake one.

Do Not Get Scammed

No matter how much you need macaroni, hair spray, or feminine products coupons, it isn't worth it to get scammed. Avoiding scams can sometimes be difficult, but knowing what the purposes behind the scams are and the general scams out there will help you to avoid them. Remember that you should never pay for coupons.