Comments on: Spotting Coupon Fraud http://www.southernsavers.com/2010/01/spotting-coupon-fraud/ Couponing with Grocery Deals, Weekly Ads, Printable Coupons, at your favorite stores! Stores include: Publix, Kroger, CVS, Walmart, Target and more! Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:59:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Missie http://www.southernsavers.com/2010/01/spotting-coupon-fraud/#comment-203200 Missie Wed, 17 Feb 2010 05:40:05 +0000 http://www.southernsavers.com/?p=10842#comment-203200 I have received some coupons that do not say manufacturers coupon at the top nor do they have an expiration date. How can I tell if they are real? I have received some coupons that do not say manufacturers coupon at the top nor do they have an expiration date. How can I tell if they are real?

]]> By: Missie http://www.southernsavers.com/2010/01/spotting-coupon-fraud/#comment-110817 Missie Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:40:05 +0000 http://www.southernsavers.com/?p=10842#comment-110817 I have received some coupons that do not say manufacturers coupon at the top nor do they have an expiration date. How can I tell if they are real? I have received some coupons that do not say manufacturers coupon at the top nor do they have an expiration date. How can I tell if they are real?

]]> By: bnr05 http://www.southernsavers.com/2010/01/spotting-coupon-fraud/#comment-110618 bnr05 Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:44:09 +0000 http://www.southernsavers.com/?p=10842#comment-110618 I note my coupons on my grocery list. This way my list shows how many items I want, the sale price, the coupons, and the final price for each item, and I know how many coupons I had and what they were for if there are any questions.<br><br>I have a hard time paying attention when I'm shopping with my children, so this saved me one time when my total was higher than I had calculated. The cashier had neglected to enter two coupons for free items which was about $7 total. Since I knew exactly which ones weren't entered, they were able to find them in her stack and refund my money. I note my coupons on my grocery list. This way my list shows how many items I want, the sale price, the coupons, and the final price for each item, and I know how many coupons I had and what they were for if there are any questions.

I have a hard time paying attention when I'm shopping with my children, so this saved me one time when my total was higher than I had calculated. The cashier had neglected to enter two coupons for free items which was about $7 total. Since I knew exactly which ones weren't entered, they were able to find them in her stack and refund my money.

]]> By: Lisa http://www.southernsavers.com/2010/01/spotting-coupon-fraud/#comment-109166 Lisa Thu, 11 Feb 2010 21:23:49 +0000 http://www.southernsavers.com/?p=10842#comment-109166 I recently went to Publix, my usual store with some coupons, all legit and felt like she didn't scan all mine. However I really was not sure how many I gave to her. It was more than a few. How do you keep track? I am thinking of photocopying them next time. Seems a little time consuming though! I recently went to Publix, my usual store with some coupons, all legit and felt like she didn't scan all mine. However I really was not sure how many I gave to her. It was more than a few. How do you keep track? I am thinking of photocopying them next time. Seems a little time consuming though!

]]> By: Jacklyn http://www.southernsavers.com/2010/01/spotting-coupon-fraud/#comment-108369 Jacklyn Tue, 09 Feb 2010 21:35:07 +0000 http://www.southernsavers.com/?p=10842#comment-108369 A question? I learned by accident that I am able to print two of most online coupons.My printer paper jammed when I was trying to print a really good coupon, so I contacted Smartsource. They informed me that everyone has two opportunities to print a coupon. I have also found that this is true with Bricks. I am not copying, or scanning, but I am able to print what appears to be two identical coupons. Should I be printing and using that second coupon. It is especially valuable for B1G1, but I don't want to be doing anything unethical OR illegal! Thanks for a response! A question? I learned by accident that I am able to print two of most online coupons.My printer paper jammed when I was trying to print a really good coupon, so I contacted Smartsource. They informed me that everyone has two opportunities to print a coupon. I have also found that this is true with Bricks. I am not copying, or scanning, but I am able to print what appears to be two identical coupons. Should I be printing and using that second coupon. It is especially valuable for B1G1, but I don't want to be doing anything unethical OR illegal! Thanks for a response!

]]> By: Meme http://www.southernsavers.com/2010/01/spotting-coupon-fraud/#comment-95701 Meme Sun, 10 Jan 2010 04:56:00 +0000 http://www.southernsavers.com/?p=10842#comment-95701 In answer to printing out too many of the Ray-O-Vac coupons, my coupons were turned down at Ingles this evening. The manager said the district manager had come in this week and discussed the use of fraudulent coupons and this was one that he used as an example. He was very nice about it, even gave me a managers $3 discount on the $3 deal for buying 4 Fiber One products. They were out of some of the products and I couldn't get all four, so he just gave me the $3 straight off my grocery bill instead of trying to do a raincheck with half the missing items. I thought that was very charitable. The customer service lady had to look over all my printed coupons and indicated it was because they were in black and white. Even though this is allowed, it makes it harder to detect copied coupons. All were ligit, except for the Ray-O-Vac cpns. We were treated courteously and respectfully. They explained how much they were losing because of the fraud and copied coupons. Hope everyone will try to learn the rules and stick with them or we will all be eating a lot of plain beans. In answer to printing out too many of the Ray-O-Vac coupons, my coupons were turned down at Ingles this evening.

The manager said the district manager had come in this week and discussed the use of fraudulent coupons and this was one that he used as an example.

He was very nice about it, even gave me a managers $3 discount on the $3 deal for buying 4 Fiber One products. They were out of some of the products and I couldn’t get all four, so he just gave me the $3 straight off my grocery bill instead of trying to do a raincheck with half the missing items. I thought that was very charitable.

The customer service lady had to look over all my printed coupons and indicated it was because they were in black and white. Even though this is allowed, it makes it harder to detect copied coupons. All were ligit, except for the Ray-O-Vac cpns.

We were treated courteously and respectfully. They explained how much they were losing because of the fraud and copied coupons.

Hope everyone will try to learn the rules and stick with them or we will all be eating a lot of plain beans.

]]> By: Cynthia http://www.southernsavers.com/2010/01/spotting-coupon-fraud/#comment-95590 Cynthia Sat, 09 Jan 2010 21:32:54 +0000 http://www.southernsavers.com/?p=10842#comment-95590 Jenny, I have a question. I read through most of the above and didn't see it addressed. What about coupons that print using your normal print commands, where you can change the number of prints? i.e. the Rayovac batteries coupon. There's a code in each pack of batteries we buy and it's all the same code, so essentially you can print it as often as needed. Is it okay to change the amount of prints to 5 or whatever needed, rather than going back through the process each time? Thanks for the education. Jenny, I have a question. I read through most of the above and didn’t see it addressed. What about coupons that print using your normal print commands, where you can change the number of prints? i.e. the Rayovac batteries coupon. There’s a code in each pack of batteries we buy and it’s all the same code, so essentially you can print it as often as needed. Is it okay to change the amount of prints to 5 or whatever needed, rather than going back through the process each time? Thanks for the education.

]]> By: crystal mclean http://www.southernsavers.com/2010/01/spotting-coupon-fraud/#comment-95343 crystal mclean Fri, 08 Jan 2010 22:56:49 +0000 http://www.southernsavers.com/?p=10842#comment-95343 On the "CIC" link their is an example of a conterfeit coupon and it looks like some of these coupons. It also tells you some things to look for and one of them is if the mailing address is from CMS or Clearinghouse. They have smartsource on them and dated different dates I have lots of coupons like this and they are from smartsource itself. They do not have the manufacture watermark, codeing around the coupon, a upc at the top or watermakings where the expiration date is. I am being very paranoid I guess. On the “CIC” link their is an example of a conterfeit coupon and it looks like some of these coupons. It also tells you some things to look for and one of them is if the mailing address is from CMS or Clearinghouse. They have smartsource on them and dated different dates I have lots of coupons like this and they are from smartsource itself. They do not have the manufacture watermark, codeing around the coupon, a upc at the top or watermakings where the expiration date is. I am being very paranoid I guess.

]]> By: Jenny http://www.southernsavers.com/2010/01/spotting-coupon-fraud/#comment-95271 Jenny Fri, 08 Jan 2010 20:43:15 +0000 http://www.southernsavers.com/?p=10842#comment-95271 Please don't worry if you printed them from the official manufacturer site or a legitimate site like coupons.com etc you are good. Please don’t worry if you printed them from the official manufacturer site or a legitimate site like coupons.com etc you are good.

]]> By: crystal mclean http://www.southernsavers.com/2010/01/spotting-coupon-fraud/#comment-95269 crystal mclean Fri, 08 Jan 2010 20:37:09 +0000 http://www.southernsavers.com/?p=10842#comment-95269 I just started using this website and I was completely unware of fradulent coupons. I am scared now because after reading all of this and analizing all my printed coupons, I can't tell what is a fradulent coupon. I went to Johnsonville.com (Johnsonville meats) and printed off coupons from their site and they look fraud to me according to everything I am reading. I just started using this website and I was completely unware of fradulent coupons. I am scared now because after reading all of this and analizing all my printed coupons, I can’t tell what is a fradulent coupon. I went to Johnsonville.com (Johnsonville meats) and printed off coupons from their site and they look fraud to me according to everything I am reading.

]]> By: Melissa http://www.southernsavers.com/2010/01/spotting-coupon-fraud/#comment-94994 Melissa Fri, 08 Jan 2010 03:13:17 +0000 http://www.southernsavers.com/?p=10842#comment-94994 Thank you, that was exactly what I needed to know! Thank you, that was exactly what I needed to know!

]]> By: claire http://www.southernsavers.com/2010/01/spotting-coupon-fraud/#comment-94857 claire Thu, 07 Jan 2010 21:32:20 +0000 http://www.southernsavers.com/?p=10842#comment-94857 she told you a big fat lie. I used to work for VS and those birthday coupons can be used for ANYTHING in the store, as long as it is actual merchandise. I would ask to speak with a manager, b/c some of those girls don't know what they are doing. i used a $10 coupon at PINK a few weeks ago on a $10 item and the cashier freaked out b/c i was getting my purchase for free, and had to get a manager to make sure it was ok. (VS doesn't hire the quality of people it used to. you wouldn't believe their turnover rates...prob the highest in the industry.) she told you a big fat lie. I used to work for VS and those birthday coupons can be used for ANYTHING in the store, as long as it is actual merchandise. I would ask to speak with a manager, b/c some of those girls don’t know what they are doing. i used a $10 coupon at PINK a few weeks ago on a $10 item and the cashier freaked out b/c i was getting my purchase for free, and had to get a manager to make sure it was ok. (VS doesn’t hire the quality of people it used to. you wouldn’t believe their turnover rates…prob the highest in the industry.)

]]> By: MeMeH http://www.southernsavers.com/2010/01/spotting-coupon-fraud/#comment-94740 MeMeH Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:57:28 +0000 http://www.southernsavers.com/?p=10842#comment-94740 Jenny my mother lives out in the country and can not afford the internet she would like to bring her laptop to my house and connect to the internet to print her coupons. Is this going to create a problem for me because of the unique barcode numbers printed around the border? The serial numbers on the top right are different. I wouldn't want to do anything wrong, but would like to help mom out. I love your website. Thanks Jenny Jenny my mother lives out in the country and can not afford the internet she would like to bring her laptop to my house and connect to the internet to print her coupons. Is this going to create a problem for me because of the unique barcode numbers printed around the border? The serial numbers on the top right are different. I wouldn’t want to do anything wrong, but would like to help mom out. I love your website. Thanks Jenny

]]> By: Karen http://www.southernsavers.com/2010/01/spotting-coupon-fraud/#comment-94724 Karen Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:23:02 +0000 http://www.southernsavers.com/?p=10842#comment-94724 I believe in my heart that alot of this is done out of ignorance. I was copying coupons but had no idea what I was doing was wrong. That is just another life lesson in how we should educate ourselves with whatever it is that we are doing.We should also help to educate others. Jenny does an awesome job with that. Thank you Jenny. I believe in my heart that alot of this is done out of ignorance. I was copying coupons but had no idea what I was doing was wrong. That is just another life lesson in how we should educate ourselves with whatever it is that we are doing.We should also help to educate others. Jenny does an awesome job with that. Thank you Jenny.

]]> By: Karen http://www.southernsavers.com/2010/01/spotting-coupon-fraud/#comment-94722 Karen Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:19:01 +0000 http://www.southernsavers.com/?p=10842#comment-94722 Thank you! I wasn't aware that what I was doing was not legal. I am new to couponing. This site has been a huge help. I will do my best to keep myself right with this wonderful money saver. Have a blessed day. :) Thank you! I wasn’t aware that what I was doing was not legal. I am new to couponing. This site has been a huge help. I will do my best to keep myself right with this wonderful money saver. Have a blessed day. :)

]]> By: momtotwins+2 http://www.southernsavers.com/2010/01/spotting-coupon-fraud/#comment-94715 momtotwins+2 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 16:55:09 +0000 http://www.southernsavers.com/?p=10842#comment-94715 What about the 40% coupon from Hobby Lobby. I usually print an extra or to to "Make someone's day" Is this wrong? Just trying to be nice, not cheat anyone. What about the 40% coupon from Hobby Lobby. I usually print an extra or to to “Make someone’s day” Is this wrong?

Just trying to be nice, not cheat anyone.

]]> By: Heather http://www.southernsavers.com/2010/01/spotting-coupon-fraud/#comment-94714 Heather Thu, 07 Jan 2010 16:54:10 +0000 http://www.southernsavers.com/?p=10842#comment-94714 Coupons are an incentive, not a right. Manufactors put them out to get interest in a new product or sales of multiples. Stores want your business. Manufactors do not have to give you a "gift". Stores do not have to accept the "gift". Would you accept a gift from a firend and tell them 40 cents is not acceptable and tell them to double it? If people continue to missuse or fraud the system, as we continually see changes, there will no longer be coupons. I wish more people would listen to Jenny and enjoy the system. Imagine if we could go to Walgreens and not feel like theifs because we have coupons and know how to use them. I love my cashiers, but at Walgreens (probably because of so much fraud) I feel I take up to much time checking out. Publix has such great service and clean stores, they hypothectically (adult word for pretend) do not need coupons for my patronage. Coupons are an incentive, not a right. Manufactors put them out to get interest in a new product or sales of multiples. Stores want your business. Manufactors do not have to give you a “gift”. Stores do not have to accept the “gift”. Would you accept a gift from a firend and tell them 40 cents is not acceptable and tell them to double it? If people continue to missuse or fraud the system, as we continually see changes, there will no longer be coupons. I wish more people would listen to Jenny and enjoy the system. Imagine if we could go to Walgreens and not feel like theifs because we have coupons and know how to use them. I love my cashiers, but at Walgreens (probably because of so much fraud) I feel I take up to much time checking out.
Publix has such great service and clean stores, they hypothectically (adult word for pretend) do not need coupons for my patronage.

]]> By: seacoastmom http://www.southernsavers.com/2010/01/spotting-coupon-fraud/#comment-94694 seacoastmom Thu, 07 Jan 2010 16:10:21 +0000 http://www.southernsavers.com/?p=10842#comment-94694 If you can still print the coupon from the site you should probably do that. I think staying away from copying ANY coupon is probably the best bet! :@) If you can still print the coupon from the site you should probably do that. I think staying away from copying ANY coupon is probably the best bet! :@)

]]> By: seacoastmom http://www.southernsavers.com/2010/01/spotting-coupon-fraud/#comment-94612 seacoastmom Thu, 07 Jan 2010 11:37:42 +0000 http://www.southernsavers.com/?p=10842#comment-94612 Well, all of US might be, but I think most of the rest of America buys it for the articles & information...and probably the Parade magazine...........HA! Well, all of US might be, but I think most of the rest of America buys it for the articles & information…and probably the Parade magazine………..HA!

]]> By: seacoastmom http://www.southernsavers.com/2010/01/spotting-coupon-fraud/#comment-94532 seacoastmom Thu, 07 Jan 2010 03:51:37 +0000 http://www.southernsavers.com/?p=10842#comment-94532 Uh, I mean "unique" codes........... Uh, I mean “unique” codes………..

]]> By: seacoastmom http://www.southernsavers.com/2010/01/spotting-coupon-fraud/#comment-94530 seacoastmom Thu, 07 Jan 2010 03:50:19 +0000 http://www.southernsavers.com/?p=10842#comment-94530 I've never had it happen but since I just printed off 2 of the $1/2 for the Lenders Bagles I checked those. There are 2 different barcodes and they are exactly the same. However, there is a "Pin number" listed for each and THOSE numbers are different. The two $2/2 Ritz crackers Q's I printed from Coupons.com also have the same 2 barcodes BUT the funky code in the upper right corner are different. I think that these #'s are what Jenny is refering to when she talks about the unice codes for each Q (that wording might not be correct). HTH L I’ve never had it happen but since I just printed off 2 of the $1/2 for the Lenders Bagles I checked those. There are 2 different barcodes and they are exactly the same. However, there is a “Pin number” listed for each and THOSE numbers are different. The two $2/2 Ritz crackers Q’s I printed from Coupons.com also have the same 2 barcodes BUT the funky code in the upper right corner are different. I think that these #’s are what Jenny is refering to when she talks about the unice codes for each Q (that wording might not be correct). HTH

L

]]> By: Penny http://www.southernsavers.com/2010/01/spotting-coupon-fraud/#comment-94432 Penny Thu, 07 Jan 2010 01:11:39 +0000 http://www.southernsavers.com/?p=10842#comment-94432 speaking of barcodes, whenever i print coupons from smartsource, there is never a barcode on it....can't use. is this the norm or is it just something w/my computer??? speaking of barcodes, whenever i print coupons from smartsource, there is never a barcode on it….can’t use. is this the norm or is it just something w/my computer???

]]> By: Karen http://www.southernsavers.com/2010/01/spotting-coupon-fraud/#comment-94258 Karen Wed, 06 Jan 2010 20:18:16 +0000 http://www.southernsavers.com/?p=10842#comment-94258 Jenny, I have been printing the $5 off $20 Rite Aid Adperks coupon to use at Publix. The coupon doesn't expire for 30 days. Can I copy this coupon? I don't want to do anything wrong. But sometimes just a lack of knowledge could lead someone in the wrong direction. Thank you so much for all you do and definately for informing us about coupon fraud. I realize now that I have done it but was not aware of it at the time. God, please forgive me. I want to be better educated so that I don't cheat anyone. Thanks again. Jenny,
I have been printing the $5 off $20 Rite Aid Adperks coupon to use at Publix. The coupon doesn’t expire for 30 days. Can I copy this coupon? I don’t want to do anything wrong. But sometimes just a lack of knowledge could lead someone in the wrong direction. Thank you so much for all you do and definately for informing us about coupon fraud. I realize now that I have done it but was not aware of it at the time. God, please forgive me. I want to be better educated so that I don’t cheat anyone. Thanks again.

]]> By: Leah http://www.southernsavers.com/2010/01/spotting-coupon-fraud/#comment-94181 Leah Wed, 06 Jan 2010 19:02:47 +0000 http://www.southernsavers.com/?p=10842#comment-94181 Jenny, I notice when I print the Food Lion coupons from your "Print from PDF" link, they often look fuzzy and my Publix cashier made a comment about how it must be a "copied" coupon the other day. I was taken back by it and really hadn't paid it much attention before that. I just printed some today and it's the same way. Why do they look that way and is it okay? I love my Publix store and would not want to cheat them or Food Lion for that matter. Thanks for all you do...and for posting the fraudulent info. I try to do the right thing with all my coupons and I hope everyone does the same. It would be bad to have some thoughtless few mess it up for the rest of us! Jenny,

I notice when I print the Food Lion coupons from your “Print from PDF” link, they often look fuzzy and my Publix cashier made a comment about how it must be a “copied” coupon the other day. I was taken back by it and really hadn’t paid it much attention before that. I just printed some today and it’s the same way. Why do they look that way and is it okay? I love my Publix store and would not want to cheat them or Food Lion for that matter. Thanks for all you do…and for posting the fraudulent info. I try to do the right thing with all my coupons and I hope everyone does the same. It would be bad to have some thoughtless few mess it up for the rest of us!

]]> By: MommySpendsLess http://www.southernsavers.com/2010/01/spotting-coupon-fraud/#comment-94165 MommySpendsLess Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:49:54 +0000 http://www.southernsavers.com/?p=10842#comment-94165 Once you've printed your limit on that computer (usually 2) it won't let you print anymore. If you try to print a third you will receive a message along the lines of "you have already exceeded the number of prints allowed." Sometimes coupons reset which means that even if you've printed the limit in the past, it will let you print another set. That's also okay. Basically, if a site like SmartSource or Coupons.com lets you print another coupon with a new bar code, you don't have to worry about them being legitimate. Once you’ve printed your limit on that computer (usually 2) it won’t let you print anymore. If you try to print a third you will receive a message along the lines of “you have already exceeded the number of prints allowed.”

Sometimes coupons reset which means that even if you’ve printed the limit in the past, it will let you print another set. That’s also okay.

Basically, if a site like SmartSource or Coupons.com lets you print another coupon with a new bar code, you don’t have to worry about them being legitimate.

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