subject: Discovering Coupon Schemes On The Internet [print this page] If you have looked for discounts on the internet, chances are you have fallen prey to a website or offer that was less than genuine. While there are many legitimate offers on the internet which can save you money and even give you freebies, there are even more offers which will require personal information that can be stolen for other purposes.
Promoters and con artists are making money by fraudulently marketing and misrepresenting coupon related business opportunities featuring coupon certificate booklets, distributorships and work-at-home coupon clipping services. These promoters market these coupon-related schemes as business opportunities to unknowing consumer and charitable organizations.
These schemes prey upon retired individuals, people with limited income opportunities, would be entrepreneurs trying to run a business from home, churches, schools, charitable groups using the certificate booklets as fundraisers, and more.
Another scam relates to coupon clipping services. Promoters make exaggerated claims about the income and profit potential for work-at-home coupon clipping services.
You can identify these scams by some of the advertising claims such as guarantees of high income or cash quickly, claims of No Risk involvement, pressure to act immediately, and phrases such as "you can't miss this opportunity."
One of the most common scams is certificates booklets. In this scam, the investor purchases a distributorship to sell coupon certificate booklets, containing fifty certificates each of which are redeemed for ten dollars worth of grocery store coupons, and other distributorships at a reduced price from the promoter.
The investor is then to sell the booklets to consumers for twenty to fifty dollars each and distributorships in which the investor will get a percentage of each distributorship's sales. Consumers who buy the certificate booklets have to complete and mail in a form selecting forty to sixty products from a list and include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a processing fee in order to receive the coupons.
The promoters promise hundreds to thousands of dollars in earnings from these business ventures. In theory, the investor makes big profits selling booklets and distributorships to consumers and the consumer save money using the coupons to buy groceries.
In reality, the promoter is the only one who makes money. Consumers find that the booklets have significant restrictions and that they have paid for complicated forms and requirements, difficult procedures, substantial processing and handling fees, additional postage costs and they end up with nothing to show for it.
The booklets are very hard to sell due to their limitations and hidden costs. The buying and selling or transferring of coupons violate most manufacturers' coupon redemption policies and therefore voids the coupon.
The distributorships are generally based on a pyramid scheme, which is illegal and may violate federal law by making misleading or exaggerated claims regarding potential earnings. Thus, before you enter into a business venture like this, you should find a few things out first.
Make sure you look into the total cost of the package, which includes fees, postage and supplies. Also, look into the details of the company's refund policy.
A good idea would be to check with the Better Business Bureau to verify legitimacy. It is a free service to individuals to help to weed through dishonest companies.
Find out who will pay you, whether you will be pain by salary or commission, and when you will get your first paycheck if you are going to enter into a working at home offer situation. Make sure that you have all promises in writing.
Remember, if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Make sure that you do not have to give out any kind of persona information which could cost you your security.
That includes giving out your phone number, address, credit card information, social security number, birth date, and any kind of personal history. This information can be used to steal your identity, hack your accounts, and in extreme cases could even cost you your life.
If you give your address you may also begin to receive unwanted letters, advertisements, phone calls, and texts which will not stop. Many companies will sell the information you give them to other companies which may not be so trustworthy.
When it comes to coupons, just use your best judgment and remember these simple rules. Better to spend a few extra dollars than be scammed, after all.
