Update to HCW forum rules regarding modifying of coupons

[diva_dynamite]

One of HCW's goals is to help in the fight against fraudulent, fake & unauthorized coupons from being posted on our site.

HCW has an "Its Got To Be Real" Forum located HERE (http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/s-got-real/). Be sure to check this forum for all the latest on Manufacturer coupons that are known to be counterfeit or info that may be posted about websites that are not allowed to be linked to, etc. In this forum you will also find all kinds of helpful info & tips on how to spot these types of coupons.

Is It Fake, Is It Real, Can I Post It? You can report a coupon to be researched using the forms found HERE (http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/s-got-real/6590-assistance-please-fake-real-can-i-post.html).



Please Note:
If you see someone on HCW offering a coupon you know or suspect to be counterfeit, please use the red triangle at the top right corner of their post to send a report to the HCW Staff.
Discussions regarding the usage of counterfeit coupons is not allowed at HCW & is subject to the Warning / Infraction System.
Thank you for keeping HCW all about the LEGITIMATE Deals!

[diva_dynamite]

This is from an email sent out today to all HCW members to let everyone know of a minor change to the Hotcouponworld forum rules:

"Some examples of modifying a coupon that would NOT be allowed to be posted about are:
*Altering a coupon to exclude or change the expiration date
*Altering a coupon to change the bar code
*Altering a coupon to change the product that the coupon is valid for
*Altering a coupon to change the amount the coupon is valid for
*Altering or changing the settings of a printable coupon in order to print more coupons to a page or print more coupons than the manufacture allows.

The above list is not exclusive of all the ways that someone might modify a coupon.
The above change is to clearly define that posting about modifying a coupon in any way is in violation of our forum rules. This has always been the case but we wanted to clarify this further."

According to HCW forum policies, violation of this rule will gain you 5 infraction points, which do not expire.

The entire forum rules can be found at the following link:
Hot Coupon World Forum Rules (http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/view.php?pg=forum_rules)

[diva_dynamite]

to copy internet printed coupons. IT IS FRAUD, and a CRIME! Each coupon printed from SmartSource, General Mills, Pillsbury, RedPlum, etc., has a unique code stating the date and time of printing, and there may be other unique numbers or codes as well. Stores will only be reimbursed for the first coupon. If they submit multiples of the same coupon, they may be investigated for coupon fraud. Naturally, they will try to take it back to the source, the shopper. If it causes them too much trouble to weed out copied coupons, they can and will stop allowing printable coupons altogether. This hurts us all.
Unfortunately, unless a coupon is an actual PDF file, most coupons are connected to a software that limits the number of prints, either per computer, per account if you have to log-in to print, or total prints for a campaign. This puts a dent in the number of coupons we can all use, unlike insert coupons, where we can just buy or collect more papers.

So, how bad is it if you are caught using a counterfeit or photocopied coupon? According to CIC (the Coupon Information Center):
Penalties for those convicted of coupon fraud related crimes vary by each case and the number of laws violated.
As of this date,
Longest prison sentence: 17 years
Highest financial penalty: $5 million
Prison sentences of three to five years are not uncommon. Financial penalties generally vary, but have often been in excess of $200,000.

I know the economy is tough, but one way for us all to look out for each other is to make sure we're all following the rules. Hot Coupon World does not support any illegal use of a coupon, including copying them.