Watch out for coupon scams that can clip you

Who doesn’t want to save money whenever possible? And what scammer doesn’t know that we want to save money?

The Better Business Bureau warns that scammers know this all too well. That’s why many of those terrific offers and coupon deals that you see on social media are scams.

Crooks are aiming their “bargains” at those of us who are looking for ways to pinch pennies.

The fake coupon scam has been making a comeback lately in a big way.

Sometimes circulated on Facebook and elsewhere, counterfeit coupons can be a way to generate extra hits online to a site. But other times the goal is more malicious. Scammers are after your personal information so they can steal identity information and, of course, your money.

Among the most frequently distributed fake coupons recently were: 50% off at Target, $50 off Lowe’s purchases and $75 off at Bed, Bath and Beyond. These were widely circulated on Facebook and many consumers were fooled.

Another recent Facebook-circulated coupon is for $100 off at Aldi’s.

When it comes to identifying coupon scams, remember to:

▪  Be skeptical. The better the deal looks, the more likely it is fake. Just because it looks legitimate does not mean it is. It’s easy for scammers to steal the colors, logos and header of an established business. If they claim to be from the company then you should go to that company’s website and look for the coupon there.

▪  Not trust links. A link can look like it leads to a real business’ site, but may in fact take you to a fake site. If it says “free” it most likely is not. Sometimes there are real coupons for new products being introduced or for small items. But those are few.

▪  Look at the expiration date. Most have one. The absence of one is an indication of a fake. Look at the date carefully and remember that coupons for free items usually expire quicker than others.

▪  Verify the source if a coupon comes to you in an e-mail. Mouse over the link (without clicking) and the real destination address should appear. If that address looks slightly off with lots of extra characters, for instance, don’t click on it. Remember that there should be an “s” after “http” to indicate it’s secure. No “s” may mean it’s a phishing attempt to get your information or to install malware on your computer.

The Coupon Information Corporation has a long list online of fake coupons to watch out for. Search for “CIC coupon blacklist” to access the list.

This story was originally published June 30, 2017 at 7:05 PM with the headline "Watch out for coupon scams that can clip you."