Don’t Fall for Coupon Scams This Shopping Season

Holiday shopping is already buzzing, with more than 60% of us ready to hit “add to cart” on most things. Unfortunately, as shopping excitement rises, so does the risk of fraud. Shoppers aren’t the only ones prepping, though—scammers are all set, too.

In 2023, according to the research, nearly 34 million folks here got caught up in online shopping scams just during big sales events.

Coupons—who doesn’t love ‘em? Saving money on stuff you need, whether you’re browsing online or grabbing something in-store. They show up everywhere: email, magazines, and even in-store displays. But watch out!  Coupons, while great, can also spell trouble. Scammers? They use these little deals to lure people in, turning our quest for bargains into financial risks and sometimes even identity theft..

5 Coupon Scams You Must Be Aware of

Coupon cons are rampant at different channels, the most frequent of which involve:

1. Phony Coupon Websites with Too-Good-to-Be-True Offers

I was scrolling through deals when, out of nowhere, this “too-good-to-be-true” coupon caught my eye—70% off! Right? But plot twist: it’s a total scam. These sites look legit, almost like the real thing, but they’re after your personal info. They’ll have you fill out forms and maybe sign up to “unlock” the deal. In reality? You’re not scoring a discount; you’re handing over data. It’s all bait. They mimic popular brands so well that you don’t even suspect a thing until it’s too late.

2. Fake Coupons in Your Inbox 

Holidays hit, and your inbox is packed with deal emails. From brands you trust, luring you with offers you feel you can’t ignore—at least, that’s the trick. Hidden among these? Phishing scams dressed up to look like they’re from real stores. A quick click, thinking it’s legit, but boom, you’re taken to a malicious site or, without even noticing, malware slips into your device. They’re sneaky, and yeah, it’s so easy to be tricked. Blink once, and suddenly, you’re in deep before you even realize it.

3. Scam Ads on Facebook, TikTok, and Beyond

Social media’s no safer. As Black Friday nears, your feed swarms with ads, all flashing wild discounts. But don’t be so quick to trust! Some of them are scams, leading you to fake sites, ready to grab your info or get you to buy junk. Remember the $75 Costco coupon on Facebook? Tons fell for it, data stolen for a fake deal. No savings there, only headaches.

4. The Pop-up Trap

You’re browsing when—bam—a pop-up promises 70% off, sounding almost too good. But that’s the catch. These pop-ups are often traps, and one-click pulls you into sketchy sites or drops malware right onto your device. Be cautious because online deals aren’t always what they seem.

Coupon Scam Awareness – Learn How to Avoid Being a Victim

Always be cautious about where your coupons come from.

Stick with trustworthy sources—maybe the local paper, stores nearby, or official apps. Check the store’s website, too, if you’re not sure if the coupon’s legit.

Paying for coupon books is a no-go!

Coupons should be free; companies give them out to pull us in, not to make us buy them. Never pay for these.

Now, those surveys—watch out.

A real business won’t ask for sensitive details just to give you a discount. At most, they might survey you after a purchase. Scammers? They’ll trick you into giving info, even enrolling you in unwanted monthly payments.

When it comes to high-value coupons, be skeptical.

If it looks too good, there’s probably a catch. Confirm the coupon’s authenticity before using it anywhere.

Some red flags are easy to spot.

Low-res photos, odd wording, mismatched fonts—all can be warning signs. Legit coupons? They often come with fine print, like expiry dates.

The URLs matter, too.

Double-check that it starts with “https://” and seems familiar. Never visit a site if the URL looks strange.

As for those “work-from-home coupon” gigs? Stay far away. Don’t trust these online offers to resell coupon books or certificates—they’re often scams.

Spam emails with deals? Ignore them.

Instead of clicking those links, go directly to the store’s site for the offer.

No matter what, don’t ever give out personal or financial details to get a coupon. Sharing that info? Not worth it.

Security software is a must-have

Protect your devices from malware, phishing, and all that mess. Something like Bitdefender Mobile Security helps stop bad links and phishing attempts that come in through SMS or messaging apps.

See anything suspicious? Report it

Whether it’s a coupon, site, or weird email, let the retailer know, or report it to the BBB or FTC. Keep your guard up.