BBB warns of fake online coupons
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Image by Journal Broadcast Group
Web Producer: Rikki Mitchell
TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - The Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona is warning the public about fake coupons online, and advising consumers to be skeptical of certain coupon discounts.
According to a spokesman with the BBB, any discount that seems too good to be true might be a scam.
Most online coupons offer modest discounts of 10 to 15 percent. An offer for a 50 percent discount might take you to another site, where you will be asked to enter your email address and telephone number.
When you complete the form, you may be taken to a promotion for an unrelated product. This is a way for unscrupulous businesses to collect names and contact information for resale.
If your information is sold, you will receive spam calls, text messages and emails to the contact information you provided.
Other sites also produce fake coupons to print. You won't know its fake until you try and use it and the store rejects it.
The BBB also advises that a promo for a $500 gift card is usually fake.
They also say to never pay for coupons, check to see if the coupon is offered by a third party and not the store, and to be wary of pop-up ad coupon offers that require you to click immediately to redeem it.
They also say to carefully read the terms and conditions for each coupon, and check the expiration date.
Also be cautious if the coupon requires you to divulge personal information.
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