Coupon Fraud - What is it? And how does it apply to me here at HCW?

[queenofthehivemomof5]

What exactly is coupon fraud?

All of these practices are NOT ALLOWED to be discussed or referred to on Hotcouponworld.com we do not wish to promote illegal activity.

This is not an all-inclusive list. It is an example of the most common ways that coupons are abused. Just because something is not listed below, does not make it legal. Any posts that encourage or describe improper methods of coupon use will be deleted. This rule, however, is not intended to shut down asking questions about coupon use.

An example that has come up before; "What is coupon decoding?" is a valid question. "Coupon decoding is fraudulent method of using coupons and is not discussed on HCW" is a valid answer. "Coupon decoding is doing something like <decoding example>." is not.


Misuse of the written intent of the coupon: (Sometimes referred to as decoding)

• Basically using a coupon for other than what is written on the coupon.
• That means using the coupon for another product that is not listed on the coupon.
• Purchasing a different size than what is listed on the coupon.
• Purchasing a different quantity than what is listed on the coupon.
• Using the coupon after it has expired (unless your grocery store policy accepts expired coupons..only a handful of them do)

Using more than one manufacturer coupon on 1 product:

• You may only use one manufacturer coupon per item that you buy.
• If you have a coupon for $1.00/2 Campbell's chicken noodle soup for example, you may use one coupon for every 2 cans of soup.
• Almost all coupons state 1 coupon per purchase.
• You may use 2 coupons to buy 4 items (using the coupon example above), 3 coupons to buy 6 items. Etc.
• Some coupons (namely Winetags and a few others) state on them "One per customer", "One per transaction", One per household" or other similar wording. Please use the coupons accordingly to their restrictions worded on the coupon.
• The only way to use 2 coupons on one item is if you are using a store coupon and a manufacturer coupon and only if your store allows such practices.

Printing more than the allotted number of coupons:

• Many companies offer Internet printable coupon for many products. You can find lots of them in the HCW Coupon Database.
• When you sign up to print these coupons a tracking software program is often downloaded to your computer to enable you to print the coupons.
• This program has a set limit of how many times you are allowed to print that company’s coupon. Some only let you print once, some let you print 2 or 3 times by clicking the back button or returning to the homepage of the coupons. Very few companies will allow you to print unlimited amounts of their coupons.
• The tracking software that the companies require you to install on your computer not only allows you to print a limit but may also include a tracking bar code where by the coupons can be traced back to you in case of fraudulent misuse of the coupon.
• Setting your computer or printer to override the coupon tracking software is misuse of the generosity of the manufacturer and discussion of such behavior is not allowed at HCW.
• Scanning, saving coupons to file, or copying coupons are against most manufacturers written words on their coupons. And once again they could be traced back to you.
• If you wish to obtain multiples of an Internet printed coupon there are ways to do so. You can trade for them. Go to the library, or perhaps computers at work. Ask friends and family to print for you.

Modifying a coupon:

• Doing anything to the coupon to modify it.
• Mainly removing the expiration date or modifying the bar code.

Remember! Coupon fraud hurts everyone. The stores may not get reimbursed for illegal use of coupons. The more fraudulent coupon use that goes on, the more restrictions the manufacturers and stores impose on couponers.

[riffparker]

ymmv radio w bud miller for more info

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[askbethany]

For some reason my computer lets me print of unlimited coupons when other people it only lets them print 1 or 2. I have NO idea why that is. Is it fraud to keep printing them when other people can't???

[MrsPinecone]

Originally Posted by askbethany

For some reason my computer lets me print of unlimited coupons when other people it only lets them print 1 or 2. I have NO idea why that is. Is it fraud to keep printing them when other people can't???

If you look at the numbers on the coupon (for example, from coupons.com they are on the left in the middle) are they different or all the same?

If they are all the same sequence number, yes, you are committing coupon fraud by printing more than one or two.

[mamamudd]

I would like to know what happens to Q's that they change the price on? I have never seen a cashier write it on the Q so how does anyone know that they changed it. Does the store just get to make that little bit extra?

[queenofthehivemomof5]

Originally Posted by mamamudd

I would like to know what happens to Q's that they change the price on? I have never seen a cashier write it on the Q so how does anyone know that they changed it. Does the store just get to make that little bit extra?

You know that is a good question. I kind of leave that up the store and the manufacture to figure out. I view overage as a bonus, if I get it great, if not, oh well not the end of the world.

Do I think it is wrong for the store to only give me a portion of the coupon value off while they might be making some money off my coupons...yeah I do. But then on the other hand, the amount they are making is minimal. And if that is not allowed...then the manf. needs to take that up with the stores I guess. In reality the stores have the right to refuse to take our coupons, so if I get something free I am pretty darn happy.

I think much coupon fraud comes from the stores, more than the consumers. HCW handles the consumer end more as best as we can in our advice. While someone else I guess handles how the stores redeem thier coupons.

[Xaiyla]

OK I have a question that has been bugging me. I love HCW and trading coupons but I see on many coupons the phrase non-transferrable. Has this been addressed somewhere else? I have searched. I have seen this language w/in this site and would love an explanation.

Thanks!

[krgoff]

Originally Posted by MrsPinecone

If you look at the numbers on the coupon (for example, from coupons.com they are on the left in the middle) are they different or all the same?

If they are all the same sequence number, yes, you are committing coupon fraud by printing more than one or two.

Could you take a picture of where you mean? I'm trying to understand where, but I'm not fully getting it. My printables that allow me to print two have all the same numbers on them except they have unique dot scan bar code numbers.

[MrsPinecone]

Originally Posted by Xaiyla

OK I have a question that has been bugging me. I love HCW and trading coupons but I see on many coupons the phrase non-transferrable. Has this been addressed somewhere else? I have searched. I have seen this language w/in this site and would love an explanation.

Thanks!

Void if transferred?

[Brea]

I found this site that may help people with printables by mail, 'cause of this "printed already" stuff and some stores not taking IPs, I went searching around.

Please let me know if this is o.k or not. I don't want to do anything wrong. I personally am sick of my IPs being rejected. Thanks.

Heres's the place (MOD: Please delete if this is not kosher, If its fine I will edit my post to not have all this extra words, lol )

Grocery Coupon Money Saving Guide - Printable Internet Coupons By Mail