Coupon Clipping Scams
A related scam centers on coupon clipping. Promoters make overblown promises about the income or profit potential for consumers working at home clipping coupons. These
claims certainly sound appealing, but they are unsubstantiated at best and bold lies at
worst. Making money particularly hundreds per week and thousands
per month isnt that easy. Success generally requires hard work.
Sometimes, fraudulent promoters use coupons clipped by consumers to fill orders from other consumers who redeem the coupon certificates. Many manufacturers have policies that do not allow coupons to be transferred. That is, the coupons that are being sold may not be redeemed by the retailer or manufacturer.
Coupon Scheme Clues
You can avoid losing your money to a bogus work-at-home coupon opportunity. Listen
for these tell-tale tactics:
- Guarantees of big profits, high income or amazing savings in a short time.
- Claims that no risk is involved.
- Lots of pressure to act now.
- Claims that this is a hot, cant miss opportunity.
Still tempted to get involved in a coupon clipping venture through an ad in the newspaper, a magazine or on the Internet? Exercise caution. Ask questions and make sure the answers add up.
- Ask for details of the companys refund policy before you invest any money.
- Ask for the total cost of the work-at-home program, including supplies, equipment and membership fees. What will you get for your money?
- Find out who will pay you, whether youll be paid on salary or commission, and when you will get your first paycheck.
- Get all promises in writing. Any promises you hear should be written into the contract you sign.
- Check out the company with the consumer protection agency or Better Business Bureau in your own area and in the city where the company is located. These organizations can tell you whether other consumers have complained about the work-at-home program that interests you. Its not fool-proof, but it is prudent.
- Find out all the costs and fees associated with getting the coupons and then do the math. Often, in addition to buying the coupon certificates, you'll have to pay hefty postage and processing fees.
Where to Complain
If you have been or are involved in a coupon certificate or coupon clipping business opportunity that isnt making good on its promises, contact the company and ask for a refund. Let the company know you plan to notify officials about your experience. If you cant resolve the dispute with the company, you may want to turn to one of these organizations for help:
- The advertising manager of the publication that ran the ad. The manager should be interested in the problems youve had with the company.
- Your local Postmaster. The US Postal Service investigates fraudulent mail practices.
- The Attorney Generals Office in your state or the state where the company is located.
Source: FTC
