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With the abundance of technology available and the wealth of coupon trading resources, fake coupons have infiltrated our shopping system in a big way. According to the Coupon Information Corp, companies and consumers lose and estimated $500 million dollars annually due to coupon fraud.  

So what’s an honest coupon clipper to do? How do you avoid contributing to the problem? How do you recognize a fraudulent coupon? Some of the fakes look just as good, if not better than the real thing.  

Recognizing a fake isn’t always easy, but here are two easy ways to spot one:

1) Deciphering  the hidden language of coupons — the UPC. 

The Universal Product Code (UPC) is a bar code and number found on the bottom of each coupon.

Each barcode consists of 12 digits:

• the first digit represents a coupon number
• the next five digits represent the manufacturer’s number
• the next three are the family code manufacturers assign to their products
• the next two numbers are the value code which represents the value of the coupon
• the last digit is referred to as a check digit which instructs the cash register how to read or validate the coupon
  

The important thing you should keep a lookout for is whether the UPC numbers or barcode looks as if it has been tampered with and if the value code matches the cents off description listed on the face of the coupon. For example: If the value code on the coupon is 35, then the face value of the coupon should be for 35 cents off.

Free item coupons and high dollar face-value coupons are the most popular targets for coupon fakes, but more and more, lower value coupons that allow for doubling (when the store doubles the coupon value) are on the rise. So, it’s always a good idea to have familiarity with the mechanics of reading the UPC number.

2) Investigating the origin of the coupon.  

Another sure-fire way to spot a fake is if the coupon appears to have been scanned or photocopied.  If scanned and posted to a website, the easiest way to check its legitimacy is to check the manufacturer’s website.  If they do not have an online coupon present for you to print, then chances are someone has scanned the coupon in for fraudulent use.

Photocopied coupons are relatively easy to spot as they will generally be on thin computer/copier paper and may have a faded appearance. 

There are other factors to be aware of when it comes to spotting fakes and you’ll find a wealth of information at The Coupon Information Corporation to help you recognize and combat coupon fraud.

Also, if you have questions about a particular coupon, contact the manufacturer directly. They'll be happy to help you out and if you’ve uncovered a fake coupon, they may even reward you a few legit coupons for being such a conscientious consumer.

© 2006 by Barb Webb.  All rights reserved.

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