Coupon Fraud Ring Busted: How to Spot Fake Coupons

by Briana Carter on July 11, 2012

Photo Credit: KPHO

Three Arizona women were recently arrested when $25 million in fake coupons were discovered. After looking at the photos of the coupons, it appears these were very quality fake coupons. They were selling these coupons for about half of the value of the fraudulent coupons. This is a massive bust and is also a great opportunity for me to share some tips on how to spot fake coupons.

From the KPHO story,

The bogus website was selling the phony coupons online for hundreds of dollars, police said. In return, customers would receive coupons valued at two to three times what they spent, Lake said.

“These were free-item coupons,” Lake said. “Some of them, like for Iams, you get this coupon from her for $10 and you can get a $70 item. Walk out of the store with a $70 bag of dog food. If you can get an unlimited number of those, think how this grows.”

Coupon fraud hurts all of us. $25 million in fake coupons redeemed means the stores that accepted these coupons will not be reimbursed for those coupon redemption. It may not seem like a big deal when you are just redeeming one or two but on a larger scale this means loss of jobs, lower coupon values, and more difficult coupon redemption policies from stores. Just a few bad seeds can ruin it for those of us who are redeeming their coupons properly.

There is no reason to use fake coupons or use coupons in a manner not intended because there are so many great deals to be had by staying legit!

Know Your Source

This is the biggest tip I can give. KNOW the source of the coupon. I often obtain many free product coupons through the manufacturers or via blog conferences from the public relations team. I know these coupons are legitimate because I have received them directly from the source.

If you are buying these coupons from Ebay or online at other sources, you cannot verify the authenticity of the coupon. If you get an email in your inbox from a friend with a printable page of free product coupons it is probably not legitimate.  It is estimated that 99% of the free product coupons sold on Ebay are fake coupons.

TLC’s Extreme Couponing has featured users with fraudulent coupons, without any repercussions or prosecution. If you are caught using fraudulent coupons, you could be prosecuted! It’s best not to risk it. In fact, CIC, the Coupon Information Council, has issued a warning for all stores thinking about participating in the show.

Since you can’t verify it is a legitimate coupon, it is best to stick with credible sources of obtaining coupons such as Sunday newspapers, printable coupons, in store brochures, manufacturer’s websites, and other verifiable sources. You can search the Coupon Database to find more legitimate sources of coupons.

Extended Expiration Dates

Almost all legitimate coupons have a expiration date especially coupons for FREE products. If it doesn’t have a expiration date and you don’t know where the coupon came from then it could possibly be a fake coupon.

Too Good to Be True

If the coupon has a unknown source and it is a high value coupon, then should be cautious about using the coupon. Check the CIC known fraudulent coupon list and google the coupon to see if anyone else has run across this particular coupon. Someone emailed me awhile back about a Seattle’s Best Coffee free product coupon being sold on Ebay. The coupon was for a very large size that I have never even seen in stores for up to $16.99. I know coffee is expensive but this was a completely unrealistic coupon. I have seen plenty of legitimate free product coupons and it is rare to have a coupon for this high of a value.

What You Can Do

Attend a Savings Nation Coupon Workshop to learn how to use coupons  in the manner intended while still maximizing your saving.These are just of the few of the things I emphasize in my Savings Nation Couponing Workshops. Coupons can be a wonderful thing when used properly and save my family 50% or more on our grocery bill. If you would like to learn more on how to use coupons to save 50% or more on YOUR grocery bill, please attend one of my upcoming couponing workshops.

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5 Reasons Why I’m Not an Extreme Couponer

by Briana Carter on May 31, 2012

I really thought TLC’s Extreme Couponing show would be over after all the fraud and abuse that has been exposed on the show. Really, nothing on the show shocks me anymore.  There is more talk of participants using counterfeit coupons on the show.

Saving 50% on your grocery bill doesn’t make exciting television, I suppose. Then again, maybe the producers of the show should be at some of my coupon workshops to hear the excitement that attendees get at the prospect of saving 50% on their grocery bill without dedicating their life to couponing.

Here’s why I don’t “Extreme Coupon,” I coupon realistically:

  1. Time. My time is valuable. To create these shopping trips portrayed on the show takes hours upon hours. I have a life. I have a job. I have a blog. I have my family. I can 50% or more on my grocery bill by only spending a couple extra hours a week. It actually all works itself out in the end because when you stockpile reasonably, you will be making less trips to the store when you shop your stockpile. Less trips to the store means less unnecessary purchases being added to my cart as well as the time it takes to make those additional shopping trips.
  2. Money. To get all the coupons in the show, you probably have to purchase coupons, which costs money. There is also the matter of catalina coupons. How did the person get those? Did they have to spend out of pocket money to get a catalina coupon to use on their next purchase? Smart couponers will “roll” catalinas, Extra Bucks, Register Rewards from week to week. Most realistic couponers do not have thousands of dollars of these in their stockpile at one time. These costs need to be factored into the total cost.
  3. Space. We don’t have the space for some of these massive stockpiles. As it is now with a reasonable stockpile, I feel a little overcrowded. We don’t have room for a whole room of stockpile items so at a certain point you have to stop stockpiling items.
  4. Use. Will I ever use the product? Can I donate this product? Does anyone want this product? These are some things you have to consider when stockpiling. Yes, maybe I can get a whole truck load of Gas-X but will I ever use that? There are some items that are just a little too personal to start handing out to friends and family without them taking offense! ;)
  5. Ethics. There are so many deals out there to get that I don’t need to resort to using coupons unethically or illegally. I’m saving 50% or more on every grocery shopping trip and more at the drug stores so why would I even ever consider using coupons in a unethical way? The couponers are the show are encouraged to make their shopping trip spectacular so they often have to resort to purchasing coupons on Ebay without doing research on the coupons they are purchasing.

Those are the reasons why I don’t “Extreme Coupon.” However, the fact is most stores aren’t even going to allow you to coupon the way they are allowing participants on the show. Let’s take Coupon Doubling as an example. Most of the stores in Central Indiana will double up to 2 like coupons. On the show, the stores are relaxing their coupon policies and allowing unlimited doubles. If normal folk try to do this in their store, they aren’t going to get that extra doubling. This makes it a bit harder get that huge score.

What do you think? Are you still watching this show? 

Most people can save HUGE on their grocery bill but a realistic goal is going to be 50% saving. You can see my methods and learn how to get started in the 15 Days of Couponing. You can also get started by printing coupons or searching the Coupon Databasefor more coupons.

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Extreme Couponing Season 2 Premieres 9/28

by Briana Carter on September 27, 2011

It’s back….TLC’s Extreme Couponing Season 2 Premieres on September 28, 2011.  Nothing on this show shocks me anymore. In the premiere you will see Michelle, who is a self proclaimed self clearer, take on the grocery stores.  Love it or Hate it, this show seems to still be steam rolling ahead.

I’ve written my thoughts on the Extreme Couponing show in the past. I’ve only watched a few episodes but I believe it gives a unrealistic view of couponers and couponing. This is why I teach people to Extreme Coupon Realistically with my coupon classes in Indiana.

I think most people can save HUGE on their grocery bill but a realistic goal is going to be 50% saving. You can see my methods and learn how to get started in the 15 Days of Couponing. You can also get started by printing coupons or searching the Coupon Databasefor more coupons.

Sign up for my daily newsletter for all the best deals in your inbox! Check out The Frugal Map to find a blog in your area!

 

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Extreme Couponing Tip: 10 Tips for Keeping A Manageable Stockpile

by Briana Carter on September 5, 2011

As a long time couponer, I’m still trying to find that perfect system. I do know you can get quite a crazy mess going if you don’t have a good system or keep your coupons organized. Find a system that works for you and stick with it.

10 Ways to Manage Your Stockpile of Coupons

Whether you decide one day that extreme couponing is something you want to try or you work your way up to it gradually, you might find that your limited organizational skills simply can’t keep up with your proclivity for clipping. If your house is starting to get buried under layers of coupons, it’s time to get things in order. Here are a few ways to cope with the coupons.

  1. Pare it down. It can definitely be difficult to toss coupons that offer spectacular savings, but do you really want to let your stockpile push you out of house and home? You need to make a decision to keep your couponing to a set (and manageable) amount in order to control the clutter it causes.
  2. Stick to a few stores. One good way to pare down while you organize is by selecting a few stores that have the best savings and sticking to coupons that can be used there. This way you’ll save time on both clipping and going out of your way to shop, and you’ll also cut the detritus of unused coupons.
  3. Clip what you’ll use. It can be tempting to go for items that you wouldn’t normally buy simply because the savings are so good,  but try to be realistic. If you’re buying items that you really won’t use, you’re not actually saving; you’re spending unnecessarily. And skipping over these items will save you time as well as space.
  4. Opt for online. More and more paper ads are now popping up online, along with coupon codes that can only be redeemed through web shopping. Although a few holdouts may stick to paper, you’ll be surprised by how much easier organization can be when the majority of your coupons exist in the virtual world.
  5. Coupon software. Forget about setting up a complex, nested system of files on your computer to store your e-coupons. Instead,  get yourself some couponing software that does the heavy lifting of organization for you and makes finding what you need a cinch.
  6. Set up a filing system. Extreme couponing requires extreme storage and organization, so get yourself a filing cabinet to devote to the cause. This will ensure that coupons are off of counters and tables and tucked away where they can easily be found again.
  7. Sort by store. It’s best to start any organizational effort with broad strokes, so begin by creating sections for types of stores (grocery, department, sporting goods, and so on) and then further break down these categories with files for specific vendors.
  8. Sort by item. Once you’ve got your basic setup in place, you can further separate coupons into groups by item. For the grocery store, you could create categories for canned goods, meats and cheeses, frozen items, and so on. You could even assemble them by aisle, if you want.
  9. Sort chronologically. Now that everything has a place, you can put the coupons in chronological order in each folder, with those that are closest to expiring at the front of the file. This will make is easy to toss those that don’t get used in time.
  10. Sort alphabetically. You can arrange folders alphabetically at all tiers of your organizational structure (including online). This will allow you to quickly find whatever you’re looking for, from coupons for Albertson’s to the Ingles weekly ad, or canned peas to Cheerios.
This is a guest post from Carol, who blogs at GroceryWiz.com.
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Free Extreme Couponing Episode 1 iTunes Download

by Briana Carter on April 13, 2011

Some of you have been asking how to watch TLC’s Extreme Couponing since many of you don’t pay for cable!  In case you missed it, you can watch J’amie and Tiffany’s segment of TLC’s Extreme Couponing show online for free. This may not last for long so download now if you want to watch the insanity!

J’amie is the couponer whose couponing methods are being questioned as to whether she used the coupons as intended.  If you are looking to get started couponing, I suggest reading my 15 Days of Couponing series for realistic and ethical ways to save.

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Are TLC Extreme Couponing Participants Couponing Ethically?

by Briana Carter on April 8, 2011

For those of you who follow my blog, you know that I advocate ethical couponing. After watching the latest episode of TLC Extreme Couponing, many of you are searching for ways to save huge like the participants on the show. I’ve stressed I get 50% grocery savings at the store and this is what I strive for when I shop.

However, these participants are getting 98% savings or even larger. Many of you want to save like this. However, this is NOT realistic and there are questions as to whether the participants on the show are even couponing ethically.

It is suspected that the participant Jamie was decoding coupons in order to misuse the coupons for items she didn’t purchase. For example, this blog could not find an instance where Jamie purchased Fiber One Cereals. However, she was seen using these coupons at the register. This is just one of the many examples.

Apparently, TLC did not do it’s homework as it didn’t take the couponing community long to figure out that Jamie was not a ethical couponer as some of the message boards went about decoding the receipt from the show and the coupons used and have found they aren’t being used properly. My guess is that they don’t care about couponing ethically as long as they have the ratings. Geesh, the show wouldn’t be nearly as fun with someone who just gets 50% savings doing it the right way, right?

If you haven’t read my 10 Commandments of Couponing, here they are again:

  1. Thou Shall Not Used Expired Coupons. Unless it is your stores policy to accept them. Sometimes they will not beep even with expired but that doesn’t mean you should use them!
  2. Thou Shall Use the Coupon for the Item is intended.
  3. Thous Shall understand the requirements & restrictions on the coupon. Read the coupon language carefully. Sometimes there is a certain number you have to purchase or a specific variety is only included on the coupon.
  4. Thou Shall Not Decode the Coupon to misuse the coupon. I won’t explain how you can do this as I don’t encourage this practice at all. Briefly, it is a flaw in the system that allows a coupon to be used on a item it is not intended for without causing issues at the register.
  5. Thou Shall Not Alter Coupons. Self explanatory, right?
  6. Thous Shall Not Make Copies of Printable Coupons. Making copies of printable coupons is a big “no no”.
  7. Thou Shall Not Clear the Shelves. Leave some of the rest of the world! :) Plus, it is highly unlikely, you really need 77 bottles of mustard in your house!
  8. Thou Shall Question Any FREE coupon items for legitimacy. The old adage, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
  9. Thou Shall Not Misuse the Self Checkout System. Again, just because the system allows it doesn’t always mean you should do it!
  10. Thou Shall Use Your Couponing Powers for Good Only!

Obviously, TLC Extreme Couponing is not showing every detail on how these couponers are getting their extreme savings. I think a little more details are needed as their savings do not seem realistic.

What are your thoughts on ethical couponing?

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Should You Extreme Coupon?

by Briana Carter on April 7, 2011

Many of you are probably searching for tips on how to Extreme Coupon after watching TLC’s Extreme Couponing series. Should you extreme coupon? How do you Extreme Coupon?

Extreme couponing is possible without it becoming a coupon addict, an extreme hoarder or it completely taking over your life.  I think most people can save HUGE on their grocery bill but a realistic goal is going to be 50% saving. You can see my methods and learn how to get started in the 15 Days of Couponing. You can also get started by printing coupons or searching the Coupon Database for more coupons.

Again, you can extreme coupon without it taking over your life. When you choose to go shopping or clip your coupons instead of spending time with your friends and family, you have a problem. It is like any other addiction. I’m not sure there is a 12 step problem for couponing yet! It is better than other addictions that cost you money but it still can take over your life.

Sign up for my daily newsletter for all the best deals in your inbox! Check out The Frugal Map to find a blog in your area!

What do you think about extremely extreme couponers?

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Buying Coupons from a Clipping Service

by Briana Carter on April 6, 2011

 

If you watched Extreme Couponing on TLC, you probably heard something about buying coupons from a clipping service. One of my readers noticed that the show didn’t factor the cost of purchasing coupons from a clipping service into the total cost of the groceries. Of course, they didn’t include this cost as it wouldn’t be as sensational if they added in the actual costs! This cost should always be added to the total cost of your shopping trip.

There are times when purchasing coupons from a clipping service can be beneficial. Instead of buying additional newspapers to get a high value coupon, you can purchase what you want from a service like Coupons Things by Dede. Coupon prices range from $0.05 and up depending on the value and availability of the coupon.

Why would you want to buy from a clipping service?

  • To get additional coupons to stock up during a super sale.
  • To save time by having the coupons already clipped for you.
  • To get just the coupons you need instead of buying newspapers to get every coupon – many of which you don’t need.
  • To get coupon values that aren’t available in your area. Since coupon values are regional, your area may just get a $0.35/1 coupon but another area might get a $1/1 coupon.

You can also purchase full inserts. I’ve purchased whole inserts when I didn’t get my paper and coupons I knew I would use from Coupons Things by Dede and have been pleased with the speed of service and total price.

Some tips when Buying Coupons

  • Expiration Date. Make sure you will have time to find a good sale to pair your coupon with before the coupon expires.
  • Restrictions. Check to see if the coupon has any restrictions on it like not doubling, one per person, etc.
  • Shipping Schedule. Check the site to see how quick they ship your order.
  • Never buy printable coupons as you don’t know if they were copied. Also, you can probably print those coupons out yourself at sites like Coupons.com, RedPlum.com, or SmartSource.com.

Where to Order?

  • Coupons Things by Dede
  • Coupon Clippers
  • Buy through Ebay. Use Big Crumbs, Shop at Home, or Ebates to shop through Ebay to earn a percent back on your purchase.
    • When Purchasing through Ebay be sure to look at the seller’s feedback to check past history! I always like to buy from someone with high volume and a high percent of feedback – 99% or better!

Have you purchase coupons before? What is your experience?

Find more couponing tips here.

Photo Credit: SDado
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