You may also enjoy the next article in this series: Blogger advocates coupon misuse for deeper discounts.
I received an email recently from a reader which I’d like to share with you. (I’ve removed the reader’s name and identifying details.)
HELP! URGENT! … in a world of trouble due to coupon misuse. How can I correct this matter? A friend started teaching me to coupon last year & misuse was included in her teaching(copying/photo copying & reuse). I can’t say that I ever thought it was right BUT I never thought there’d be repercussions.
A couple of months ago she started borrowing & copying my Q’s as her computer was acting “funny” and not allowing her to print. This past week I found my computer not allowing me to print & I had a sinking feeling as to the reason why. I spoke w/her, expressed my concerns and dissappointment of losing my printing priviledges & we both agreed to destroy any copies we still had in our possession.
But then she hit me w/the big one….there’s other ladies she’s working with & all have copies of Q’s she got from me . My q’s are spread all over in copies that cannot be numbered. How can I redeem myself and regain my print priviledges? I’m too afraid to contact the company as I fear some type of punishment? I’m a christian woman and I knew better. I’m hurt, embarrassed & scared to death of possible pending legal action on the company’s part. What can I do? PLEASE HELP ME.
This email was deeply disturbing to me. I am dismayed that anyone teaching couponing could ever possibly advocate photocopying and reusing coupons — it is coupon fraud, plain and simple. Simply reading the fine print on any coupon could tell you that. And yet, this isn’t the first email I’ve received from “serial photocopiers” who seem to think that what they’re doing is a victimless crime… that is, until they get caught.
Each printable coupon that originates from a site such as Coupons.com, SmartSource.com, RedPlum.com, or CouponNetwork.com has a unique identifier (typically a third bar code or serial number.) This identifier is tied to both your computer’s IP and hardware address.
When photocopies come through the redemption house, several things happen. First, the photocopies are scanned and flagged as photocopies. The store is NOT reimbursed for these. So, if someone prints a $1 coupon, and twenty photocopies were made of that coupon, the store will only receive $1 in reimbursement for that coupon, “eating” a $19 loss. It is exactly the same as shoplifting $19 worth of merchandise out of the store. I simply don’t understand how anyone could see it any other way — someone is paying for that $19 in fraudulent coupons that were scanned. While it may not be this reader, it’s also not the manufacturer — the store takes that loss.
Second, the photocopies are pulled from the conveyor belt, tagged, and reported. The largest coupon processing agent in the country, Inmar, files fraudulent coupons for a minimum of one year. (Other processors likely do the same.) And again, each coupon contains an identifier tied specifically to your computer. SmartSource uses this message:
Printing Disabled on this Computer!
We have evidence that one or more coupons printed from this computer were presented multiple times for redemption in violation of our terms. The legal terms printed on our coupons clearly state “void if altered, transferred, exchanged, sold, purchased or copied.” By transferring a coupon to another person or by redeeming the same coupon multiple times you are committing fraud, and we are revoking your coupon printing privileges effective immediately.
If we identify further evidence of fraudulent activity, we reserve the right to take additional action against the owner or user of this computer, including pursuing legal or criminal actions.
The coupon printing plugin that each printable coupon site utilizes can indeed be turned off, permanently, to your computer, which is what has happened to this reader. It’s highly unlikely that a company will restore printing privileges once they’ve been revoked. Think about it — this person’s actions have potentially cost vendors hundreds to thousands of dollars in losses.
Unfortunately, having printing privileges revoked is only the first step. A company can also petition the internet service provider for records to determine customer was signed on to that specific IP address at the time those coupons were printed, and then they will be able to tie a specific person/account to that instance of fraud. At that point, they may prosecute.
Coupons state in the fine print that they are void if copied, and that any other usage constitutes fraud. No one could possibly argue that they were not aware of these consequences if they’ve simply read a coupon’s terms.
For ANY coupon “instructor” to advocate photocopying coupons is grossly irresponsible, unprofessional, and completely unethical. I am stunned that after her own printing privileges were turned off, this instructor continued her actions with the reader’s computer, copying and distributing an unknown quantity of coupons to an unknown number of students.
I did respond to this reader via email privately earlier this week, but there really is is no help that I can provide for this particular situation. I wanted to share it with my readers though as the number of new couponers asking me “what’s the harm” in photocopying coupons has increased dramatically recently. Over the week ahead, I’ll be sharing some additional posts on coupon ethics and questionable behavior.
You may also enjoy the next article in this series: Blogger advocates coupon misuse for deeper discounts.
Momma Goddess says
Wow, some friend. With friends like that (well we all know the saying). . . Thanks, Jill for posting. Thank you too, for teaching us the right way to save money.
LuluD318 says
After reading this, I am sooooo glad you birthed my couponing skills.
I really appreciate you showing how deep one action can run. I hope others who don’t realize who is affected when any coupon is presented are enlightened.
btrmama08 says
I was talking to a lady about couponing at Kmart (when they did their great doubles without all the limitations) and then I saw her again at another Kmart doubling event. She went on to thank me for telling her about your site and other sites, then mentioned she went to Kinkos to photocopy coupons. I think my eyes popped out of my head and I explained to her that it’s illegal to do that, it’s coupon fraud. And I told her what could happen, I was amazed that she thought it was okay to copy coupons.
mindreader20003 says
A few years ago I actually wittnessed a woman at a Jewel take a sunday paper off the rack and go.strait.to the copier. Didnt even pay for the paper!!! When approached by management she stated that they were her copies because she paid to make them and if jewel wouldnt take them walmart would and then she tossed the unpaid for paper back on therack took thecopies and stormed out like management had done something wrong?!?!
heiseysis says
I personally am glad to hear this. The woman didn’t think it was right, but never thought there would be repercussions, so she did it anyway. And now she’s upset she’s been caught and wants Jill to “fix it.” I expect she will use her coupons correctly from now on.
hwendt12 says
earlier this week someone (i don’t recall the name) posted that she had 26 of a certain coupon, 6 of which were ‘hers’ and 20 more that she ‘got on ebay’. This is not the same as photocopying, but it IS still in violation of the terms regarding ‘purchase’ of coupons. I am also surprised that she would admit it here, even if she DID do something illegal. When we get SO MUCH stuff for free or for pennies, I just don’t understand why people insist on taking advantage of ‘the system’. Eventually all it will do is ruin it for everyone, and I am sad for that! :(
GMoney says
i am pretty sure i lost my smartsource printing ability due to a person making multiple copies of a Q i could not use…….no way of knowing for sure, maybe i will try to contact them and find out?
jcourt76 says
This is a good reminder to be very careful when sharing your coupons with friends or family! Part of sharing “couponing” with others is making sure they know the rules and respect them and understand the consequences they will face and also cause you to face when they choose to be irresponsible! It is so frustrating when you hear people doing this and claiming thy didn’t know it was wrong. How can you not know? It’s so clearly stated! They are always changing and updating the rules and restrictions for couponing, I’m sure mainly because of incidents like this! Jill says it best when she says that using coupons is not a right but a privilege!”
ChiTownSaver says
Ummmm…THAT WAS ME. Please do not slander me.
It was 26 mfg coupons. I buy 6 newspapers each week = me having 6 of those coupons
Plus I got 20 mfg/tribune coupons from ebay which I count as a clipping service. What is the harm in that?
I do not consider it me buying coupons, I consider it me paying for a clipping and mailing service, which I learned about on another highly popular couponing blog krazy coupon lady. I did not even know clipping services existed until she posted about how she was waiting for her coupons to come in from there.
My Dollar Tree has a limit of purchasing 3 newspapers per person. So since there is two of us, we get six every week.
4boyshunting89 says
I guess I don’t understand WHY someone would want 26 copies of the same coupon. Yeah, i get stockpiling…not that stockpiling works in my house with 4 growing hungry boys….but if you have 6 copies that you buy in the paper, and you can print what, 2X for free off of smartsource.com, etc., why would you PAY for more? Unless you are looking to be a shelf-clearer for no other reason that the thrill of the hunt, I just don’t understand the rationale. Even if you are looking to stock up the food pantry, why wuold you PAY for paper you can get for free, or though other legal means? And, the whole “time saver” thing is a cop out…I work full time, and am also “Mom,” which is itself a full time job, but I have time to clip & match what I NEED every week in order to save $$. I’m not looking to clear shelves. Just want to feed my kids and save some money.
wireman1979 says
demented. lol And typical that they are so defensive. All par for the course.
Momma Goddess says
. . .to all of you very kind couponers (there are quite a few of you) who traded printed coupons with me, e.g., my coveted Maxwell House International Cafe coupons, I PROMISE I never photocopied any of them, and never would. I know you don’t know me from Jack, but I would/will NEVER copy anything you send me. I also am very secretive/confidential about your addresses and names you send me.
I am also very trusting, and will keep trading with those of you that request to trade. I still have printing privs, so I’m pretty sure none of you have copied those Q’s that I have sent you.
Again, thank you Jill for educating us on couponing, and keeping us informed as rules and things evolve.
pam and family says
that a clerk at a store saw a good deal someone was getting and then used their copy machine to make copies of a customer’s coupon, so that they could then get the same deal themselves? I know that is probably unlikely, but is kind of scary to think about.
couponmom104 says
Wow, I am so glad I read this post because I never thought about the consequences of giving away my printable coupons to the military – I just sent a huge envelope of all my expired q’s to a woman on a military base over-seas . . . I thought I was doing something nice so I hope no one unknowingly photocopies them!
tripletts07 says
That is a very scary thought of a cashier using your coupons. What can one do to protect oneself from something like tht?
beckdotcom says
Recently I have brought printed coupons to two of the smaller local stores in the Downers Grove area. Both stores have started a policy that they will not accept printed coupons. When I questioned the clerks about the policy, at both stores they told me that they had lost thousands of dollars because the manufacturers would not reimburse them for a lot of the coupons they had submitted. I was a little confused about this, but I have to assume it was from people who were photocopying coupons.
This is really sad, because these are small independently owned stores, who struggle to offer the best deals they can. Jill is right, this is no different than walking into a store and unloading a shelf of product into your purse. And… it ruins things for all of us who follow the rules!
soapboxtray says
I can’t wait to read the next one! :-)
stolzee says
WHAT’S THERE NAME ?
Rocketmom60 says
I am still learning about this “extreme” coupon usage. I have always used coupons and get excited when I find one online that I can cut 2 of. My local paper has very few coupons and the RP or SS inserts are much smaller here than in some of the larger cities. My question is this…why is it illegal to trade coupons? If one is legitimately cut out of an insert or online why can’t I give it to a friend or relative? For example, I don’t use Tostinos pizza but my mom does. Why can’t I clip the coupon and give it to her? In trade, she gives me a coupon for a product I use. That way, we each get 2 coupons to use on two purchases. The same number of purchases get made. I’m sorry…I just don’t see that as fraud. Oh, also, one of the grocery stores in my town has a big tub as you walk in the door inviting people to put their unused coupons there for other people to use. Can someone tell me why my sharing is wrong? I’ve NEVER purchased coupons and only clip the authorized number online.
artmom6 says
Wow,I never even thought about someone photocopying your coupons. I was asked once to trade some printed out Target coupons and I’m glad I didn’t.
That’s really scary — that someone would photocopy so many coupons, especially with someone else’s original. I think it’s good that these people never have their privileges again. They are the ones ruining it for others. But I do feel sorry for the ones who innocently traded their legitimate original coupons, not knowing that such a crime would be committed at their expense. What a NIGHTMARE!
Jill, thanks for posting on this topic. It is a real warning to me about trading printed coupons. I almost left a couple of printed coupons by a product, but decided not to and I’m glad I did. I’m sure I’ll never give away or trade printed coupons unless I know the person.
THANKS, JILL. Aside from your site’s clarity, one thing I admire most about your site is the constant reminder of being ethical and honest with coupons. This is beneficial to both the advertisers and in the long run, the couponers, as well.
kuracha says
I read this yesterday and I just started couponing November 2011. Im a PTO mom and often in my kids school. I asked some of my fellow parents if they could do me a favor by liking a certain brand on facebook so we could get coupons and use it for our next event in school. in that way, we would be saving money. so as i was telling one parent, he told me why would you bother asking all of us that when you can just make copies…i told him thats fraud and he said no one would notice it! I am just thankful that I am not greedy to do those kind of stuff. If my highest savings for one trip is 50% or even 30%…I am already happy that I saved. I hope that others wont misuse the use of coupons or someday we might lose the privelege of using coupons because of fraud :(
ChiTownSaver says
I did not even think people sold IP coupons online, so tonight I went to ebay and looked around.
There is a user who thus far has sold more than 60 sets of 20 of those Up and Up $1 paper towel Target coupons, and she still has more up for auction.
That is over 1,200 coupons. In her listing she also stated she went and got 60 rolls herself from Target.
I reported all 5 of her current listings for the paper towels to ebay since in the rules it states no more than 2 IP coupons. It probably won’t do anything though.
That is just insane to me. Since Target coupons are so different can they ever tell if something is photocopied? Can her computer get blocked ever?
I love Target online printable coupons, but things like this happening is going to have them get rid of it.
cpatscan says
I have always been glad to share a coupon especially if I would not use it and I saw someone in the market who could, BUT now I probably will stop doing that unless it is a coupon out of the insert. I certainly do not want my printing privilegs revoked, because someone copys a printed coupon that I
gave them.
Eddy Kuzo says
I stoped at the first sentance of reading this. You wernt even going to tell that reader that their “Printing Privligies” wasnt tooken away. This is 100% Impossible. It was most likely malware that spread between the two and messed with their computer. Re-Printing coupons is NOT going to take away your ability to print, or do anything. Yes, it is unethical, but it wont hurt you in any way.
You wont go to jail for it.
You wont loose your printing ability.
You wont get a fine.
You wont have to worry about anything.