How To Avoid Getting Fake Online Coupons

The number of online orders during this pandemic time should rise, given that people are avoiding movement to shopping malls and any other place where they may come into contact with other people through online shopping. Online shopping is a safer option to get your supplies as you can order from the comfort of your home, and they will drop the items at your doorsteps.

Most of the upcoming online stores are aware of the opportunity at hand and are trying to woo customers using discount coupons and other great deals. There are also a lot of new online shoppers, who can easily get into the trap of coupon scammers who sell fake online vouchers and online coupons.

Fake online coupons are a cyber-security threat because clicking a fake coupon can be the source of malware on your device. Scammers use the malware to collect your data from the device and can use it to hack into your accounts. The scammers may also require you to take a short survey as a trick to help them gather your personal information such as your email address, but you will not be able to redeem the promised deal or item.

A lot of the online coupons and online vouchers are legit, but you can sometimes come across a fake coupon code with great deals to catch your attention. The only way you can avoid being duped into the fraudulent coupon deals is by knowing how to differentiate the legit discount coupons from the fake. So how do you do that? Below are some tips on how to avoid fake coupon deals.

Avoid Coupons Shared on Social Media

Everyone comes across these coupons occasionally, which can be forwarded by a friend or in social media groups. Most of these coupons come as a link which promises great discounts from leading online retailers if you click. The reason why you should be suspicious about these coupons is the fact that you cannot trace their origin. They also promise gifts from leading retail chain— which is very unlikely for such companies because they have already built their brand and have established their market share. It would be best if you informed the sender that the coupon is fake, or report the page where it originated from as a scam.

Use Your Gut

You should always do thorough research about a coupon code or any other promo code if you feel that something if ”off” about it. Most of the people who accept such coupons understand that the deals are close to impossible, but they decide to click anyway. For example, it is not practical to get 50% off your basket value at Amazon by just following a link to like their page. Always take some time to think about how probable the deal is in real life before accepting its conditions.

Check for an Expiration Date

Online promotional voucher codes and coupon codes are a promotion meant to entice potential buyers to make a purchase, so they should have an expiry date to avoid the accumulation. If you see a coupon without an expiration code, there is a considerable probability that the coupon is a fake. Having an expiry date should not be the determining factor because some of the fake coupons and voucher codes also have an expiry date. If it has a long expiry period, avoid it because most of the valid coupons expire in less than a month.

Consider the Source

Always avoid coupons that do not come directly from the brand’s website or a reputable coupon site. For example, a person who wants Noon gift vouchers to gift their friends should only trust the codes if they are from the company’s website or a trusted dealer. Always verify with the company’s website if a coupon claims to be directly from the company and always look for online reviews for any coupon dealer site that you don’t recognize.

Check the Coupon Information Centre

You can check whether a coupon is a counterfeit using the CIC. You can avoid much of the fake coupons if you take your time to check whether it is in the site’s blacklist before you make the next move. Don’t depend on the CIC check alone because the site does not capture all the fake coupons, especially the new ones being circulated through email and social media. You can also use the CIC resource to identify with the common coupon frauds so that you can easily spot them in the future.

Cross Check the Printable Coupons

Most of the fake coupons are printable as it is easy to create fake images in this digital era. People nowadays have excellent document editing skills, and everyone has the freedom to post anything online. There are legitimate printable coupons, but it is advisable to avoid coupons available at a site that does not link back to the company site. Valid coupons are mostly hosted on the brand’s website, their social media pages, or on a reputable coupon site.

Avoid the Coupons that are Too Good to be True

Scammers are aware that everyone would like to buy great brands for less or even get them free, meaning they will most use such offers as a bait to catch your attention. If a coupon seems “too god to be true”, the best thing to do is to avoid it as it is more likely a fake coupon. High-value coupons are there, but they are mostly for a single product— not for any product from a particular manufacturer or retailer.

Check the Branding

Scammers try their best to imitate the original corporate branding, but they leave behind some clues that help you determine fake coupons. The logos on the sake coupons have low resolutions as a result of copying an image from the original source. Also check for font changes, awkward phrasings and typing errors as the scammers may lack the expertise available in big companies. Every company wants their coupons to look attractive and convincing, even if they are selling their best brands for less.

Snehal
Snehal
Hi, I am an Author who believes in making the life of their readers interesting with his writing. Writing was always my first interest. Ever since I was a teenager, I was already into writing poems and stories. Today, I have gained a great experience in my work. Check out my work and share your views.

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