One thing that gets my blood boiling are counterfeit coupons. Because of these, it makes those of us who use them honestly look bad — as we are constantly being questioned. There are actually a few new ones in circulation that I want to warn you about – in case you see them in your inbox. Remember that using them means you are stealing from the store where you shop as they will not be reimbursed for them.
- Free Folgers Product, 7 oz+
- B1G1 Free Frozen Bertolli Products
- $0.99/1 Gatorade, 32 oz
- Free Bread with the purchase of any 2 Jars of Skippy Peanut Butter (15 oz+)
- $5.00/1 Hormel Refrigerated Entree
- $4.00/1 Hanes
- $2.00/1 Hanes
- $2.50/1 Haagen-Dazs 3 Pack Chocolate Vanilla Bars
- $3.50/1 Bic Pilot Pens
- $2.50/1 Odwalla Mango Tango Fruit Smoothie (15.2 oz bottle)
- $1.00/1 Laura Scudders Peanut Butter
If you get these in your email — do NOT forward them. Do not use them. Remember – if the coupon looks too good to be true, it more than likely is fake!
Autumn says
How can you tell which are counterfeit? I’m new to this whole couponing thing…
Tracie says
If you get them emailed to you by a friend, most of the time they are fake. If they are free free products such as these – they are normally fake. If you find it on my site – it is legit. If you are ever in doubt, you can always ask and I can help.
Kelli says
Also, if they aren’t printed on newsprint and don’t have some sort of security feature, they are probably fake. Most legit internet printable coupons have a dot matrix bar code or a serial number. Coupons direct from the manufacturer usually have a holograph or watermark.
I ordered coupons off ebay once and knew they were fake the moment I got them because they looked as if they’d been printed on photo paper and they didn’t have any security feature.
However, there are exceptions to these rules.
Holly says
Thank you so much for giving us the heads up! I was afraid it was going to be the Kellogg’s cereal b1g1 free. I don’t know why people do stupid stuff like fake coupons – they will get caught eventually.
Tracie says
Yes – they do get caught and prosecuted.
Alicia M says
How do you know a coupon that looks like any other coupon is counterfeit? I would not know unless I read it in an article like this one.
Tracie says
One way is if they are free – you won’t find coupons like this for free. If it is emailed to you in a pdf file – it is more than likely fake.
fred says
I have a Borden’s Cheese $1.00 off from a pdf file. Do you think it’s fake. Thanks for everything. Your blog is great.
Tracie says
No – that one is fine — it came from Facebook.
Trish says
Thanks for the heads up! With all the coupons and ways to get great deals, it’s incredible that anyone even takes the time to makeup fake ones.